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how and why is Economics different from other academics disciplines in that respect? and why is so much focus given to this one kind of bias. What about the p
by swatow 12y ago
how and why is Economics different from other academics disciplines in that respect?
and why is so much focus given to this one kind of bias. What about the potential for self-perpetuating bias that arises from the self-governing nature of academia? Whatever the current bias is, it gets reinforced and strengthened by academics selecting like minded people to become their peers (through tenure) publishing like minded articles in their journals, and granting funding to like minded researchers
- danieltillett 12y agoThe difference with economics is that it has for better-or-worse some influence over society's discussions about income distribution. I used to be a biology academic and I can tell you nobody cared what any of my collegues thought in this area :)
- swatow 12y agoI don't see how that answers the question. The question was by what means economists were especially rewarded for being in favor of the rich and the status quo. What about other academic departments who tend to be more left wing (e.g. sociology)? How are their academics rewarded differently to in economics?
- danieltillett 12y agoI think you might have misinterpreted what I said. I did not say economist are being better rewarded for supporting the status quo, but that those that did got most of the public attention. Who has control of the media and gets to set the questions being asked - it certainly isn't the sociologists.
- crdoconnor 12y ago>What about other academic departments who tend to be more left wing (e.g. sociology)? Remind me who is the President's sociology advisor? Oh that's right...
- crdoconnor 12y ago>how and why is Economics different from other academics disciplines in that respect? Powerful people care a lot more about the conclusions made by academic economists than they do about the conclusions made by other types of scientists. It's more corrupted than other professions. E.g. climate scientists have had money thrown at them too - to do the same thing - but by and large most of them have resisted. >and why is so much focus given to this one kind of bias. Because money talks. It's not even about bias. It's about recognizing incentives for what they are.