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Economists as Public Policy Advisers

Author

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  • Lee H. Hamilton

Abstract

As a member of the Joint Economic Committee for over 15 years I have had ample occasion to observe economists testifying. When I was Chairman of the Committee in the last Congress, for example, we held over 100 hearings and heard from at least that many different economists. From this experience, I have developed some views about how economists can be effective witnesses and, more generally, how they can make a useful contribution to economic policy. For me, the most important quality for economists to have when they are testifying or advising policymakers is the ability to express their ideas on important policy issues clearly and simply, without jargon. There is an art to telling policymakers what they need to know but don't want to hear. An economist who wants to contribute to the policy-making process needs to be a good salesman—but not a snake-oil salesman. I encourage more economists to take an active interest in public policy and to contribute to the debate on the economic issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee H. Hamilton, 1992. "Economists as Public Policy Advisers," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 61-64, Summer.
  • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:6:y:1992:i:3:p:61-64
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.6.3.61
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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.6.3.61
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    Cited by:

    1. Heine Klaus & Mause Karsten, 2003. "Politikberatung als informationsökonomisches Problem," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 223(4), pages 479-490, August.
    2. Bruno Frey, 2006. "How Influential is Economics?," De Economist, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 295-311, June.
    3. Bruno S. Frey, 2000. "Was Bewirkt die Volkswirtschaftslehre?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 1(1), pages 5-33, February.
    4. Alex Marsh, 2004. "The Inexorable Rise Of The Rational Consumer? The Blair Government And The Reshaping Of Social Housing," European Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 185-207.
    5. Lindsey, Robin & Santos, Georgina, 2020. "Addressing transportation and environmental externalities with economics: Are policy makers listening?," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Aymo Brunetti, 2018. "On economists as policy advisors with applications to Switzerland," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, Springer;Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, vol. 154(1), pages 1-5, December.
    7. Fabio Masini, 2013. "Facts, Theories, and Policies in the History of Economics. An Introductory Note," HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT AND POLICY, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2013(1), pages 5-16.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists

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