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Advising Policymakers Through the Media

Author

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  • Zimmermann, Klaus F.

    (University of Bonn)

Abstract

In the information age an exchange with the media is part of the duties the economics profession has to deliver to educate the public and to ensure its position in society. A key issue is the education of policymakers through the media. It is the silver bullet of policy advice in comparison to commissioned research and face-to-face advice provided to the politician. It also pleases the vanity of the scientist: Few economists are willing to sacrifice the celebrity of public visibility to the effectiveness of face-to-face advice. The paper advertises for a stronger role of researchers in the public debate and suggests ways to become more influential. It is argued that in the long run agenda setting is a more promising strategy than reactive press activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2004. "Advising Policymakers Through the Media," IZA Discussion Papers 1001, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter A.G. van Bergeijk & A. L. Bovenberg & Eric E.C. van Damme & Jarig van Sinderen (ed.), 1997. "economic science and practice," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1360.
    2. Robert J. Blendon, 1997. "Bridging the Gap between the Public's and Economists' Views of the Economy," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 11(3), pages 105-118, Summer.
    3. Bruno S. Frey, 2000. "Was Bewirkt die Volkswirtschaftslehre?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 1(1), pages 5-33, February.
    4. Rivlin, Alice M, 1987. "Economics and the Political Process," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(1), pages 1-10, March.
    5. Victor Fuchs & Alan Krueger & James Poterba, 1997. "Why Do Economists Disagree About Policy? The Roles of Beliefs About Parameters and Values," Working Papers 768, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    6. Victor R. Fuchs & Alan B. Krueger & James M. Poterba, 1997. "Why do Economists Disagree About Policy?," NBER Working Papers 6151, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Victor R. Fuchs & Alan B. Krueger & James M. Poterba, 1997. "Why Do Economists Disagree About Policy? The Roles of Beliefs About Parameters and Values," Working Papers 768, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    8. Michael Weinstein, 1992. "Economists and the Media," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 73-77, Summer.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martha Starr, 2012. "Contributions of Economists to the Housing-Price Bubble," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(1), pages 143-172.
    2. Pühringer, Stephan, 2016. "Still the queens of social sciences? (Post-)Crisis power balances of "public economists" in Germany," Working Paper Serie des Instituts für Ökonomie Ök-22, Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung (HfGG), Institut für Ökonomie.
    3. Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2011. "Evidenzbasierte Politikberatung," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 80(1), pages 23-33.
    4. Stephan Puehringer, 2021. "Zur Pluralitaet der oekonomischen Politikberatung in Deutschland," ICAE Working Papers 132, Johannes Kepler University, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy.
    5. Gerald Hosp & Klaus Schweinsberg, 2006. "Für eine Handvoll Euros: Der Markt für Vorträge zur Bewertung des Einflusses der Volkswirtschaftslehre," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 7(4), pages 459-469, November.
    6. Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2014. "Evidence-Based Scientific Policy Advice," IZA Policy Papers 90, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2014. "Evidenzbasierte wissenschaftliche Politikberatung," IZA Standpunkte 74, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Stephan Puehringer & Karl Beyer, 2020. "Who are the economists Germany listens to?," ICAE Working Papers 103, Johannes Kepler University, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy.
    9. Eichhorst, Werner & Wintermann, Ole, 2005. "Generating Legitimacy for Labor Market and Welfare State Reforms: The Role of Policy Advice in Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden," IZA Discussion Papers 1845, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    educating the public; policy advice; media activities; journalism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General

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