Quack Policy

by Jamie Whyte

Politicians and lobbyists who promote new regulations and taxes typically claim to have science on their side. Scientific evidence shows that the actions they wish to discourage are harmful and that government intervention would reduce this harm. Yet much 'evidence-based policy' is grounded on poor scientific reasoning and even worse economics

145 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2013

Reviews

[Chris Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this IEA publication very difficult to read, because almost every paragraph is flawed; sometimes logically, often evidentially and at times morally. The book takes what any undergrad might learn in Econ101 and applies it to current challenges and policy responses in health and climate change. All with gusto and arrogance. Whyte has little regard for the policy context, or for much of economic thought from the last 40 years. Most arguments depend on false analogies, which are painful to read. In the author's own words: "Science progresses by ignoring mere opinion, expert or otherwise". Thank goodness for that.