Sometimes economists in official positions give bad…
“Sometimes economists in official positions give bad advice; sometimes they give very, very bad advice; and sometimes they work at the OECD.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Economists in government can sometimes provide poor guidance, especially when tied to bureaucratic institutions like the OECD.
In simple terms: Government economists may give bad advice, sometimes very bad.
Key Takeaway
Beware of policy advice from entrenched bureaucrats.
Themes
policy failure
bureaucracy
expertise
trust
economics
Mood
skeptical
critical
cautious
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- government policy design
- regulatory reform
- public communication
- budget planning
Key Concepts
public choice theory
institutional bias
information asymmetry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do institutional incentives shape economic advice?
- When should policymakers seek external expertise?
A Different Perspective
Advice may be compromised by institutional pressures and groupthink.