"Useful idiots or manipulators? Some examples of non-neutrality of economics experts" - Gilles Saint-Paul (Paris School of Economics)

DeFiPP Seminar

Abstract:

In this work in progress, I challenge the standard view that the government maximizes social welfare on the basis of objective information provided by experts, such as economists. In this view, the experts are perfect agents: they provide unbiased infiormation on the welfare effects of policy. Consequently, since information has a positive value, experts contribute positively to the people's welfare. Instead, I argue that expertise is an input into a political process. Its ultimate effects depend on how each interest group uses the information provided by the expert. Therefore, it maybe counterproductive to deliver studies independently of the decision process; conversely, an expert who understands this process may manipulate it to fit his own agenda.

Contact : Benoît Decerf - benoit.decert@unamur.be
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