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The Economist as Public Intellectual: A Case for Selling Pareto Improvements

Author

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  • Robert Frank

    (Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University)

Abstract

Economists can to some extent enlighten policymakers and the public and influence public policy. That enlightenment is achieved more by concrete policy work and application of basics than by fancy models and fancy statistical significance. There is a trade-off between relevance/importance and rigor/precision. Because many economists concentrate on rigor and precision, their influence in public affairs is not as good as it could be. The professional emphasis on scholastic crafts forsakes the Smithian character of political economy. A more Smithian character for the economics profession would lead to better government policy. The primary article by Daniel B. Klein is followed by comments by Gordon Tullock, Deirdre McCloskey, Israel M. Kirzner, C.A.E. Goodhart, Robert H. Frank and James K. Galbraith and a rejoinder by Daniel B. Klein.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Frank, 2001. "The Economist as Public Intellectual: A Case for Selling Pareto Improvements," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 27(2), pages 221-225, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:27:y:2001:i:2:p:221-225
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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/eeconj/Volume27/V27N2P221_225.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pühringer, Stephan, 2016. "Still the queens of social sciences? (Post-)Crisis power balances of "public economists" in Germany," Working Paper Series Ök-22, Cusanus Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung, Institut für Ökonomie.
    2. Asproudis, Elias & Weyman-Jones, Tom, 2011. "Third parties �participation in tradable permits market. Do we need them?," MPRA Paper 28766, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Elias Asproudis & Thomas Weyman-Jones, 2020. "How the ENGOs Can Fight the Industrial/Business Lobby with Their Tools from Their Own Field? ENGOs Participation in Emissions Trading Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-13, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economists;

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General

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