The role of economists in modern democracies. “Skin in the game” or an “honest broker”? Between N. Taleb and R. Pielke
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15584/nsawg.2022.2.1Keywords:
public debate, scientific uncertainty, scientific advisory, social roles of researchers, knowledge management, policy vs politicsAbstract
Economists, and more broadly – scientists who want their work to benefit specific communities or all of humanity – must pay attention to the role they play in public debate. An inadequate approach may result in the instrumental use of science and its politicisation. The article analyses two approaches
regarding the role of the researcher in contemporary public debate. N. Taleb’s concept of a researcher with “skin in the game” and R. Pielke’s approach promoting the model of the so-called “honest broker”. Since these two approaches are partially contradictory, the aim of the article was to highlight
the existing contradictions and to work out a compromise position that can be described as an “honest broker with skin in the game”. A study conducted using content analysis showed that (1) researchers should actively engage in the public popularisation of their works and proactively influence decisionmakers related to their area of expertise, (2) in certain social sciences (characterised by a low level of uncertainty) – the responsibility of the researcher should be higher. It means that its exposure to the risk related to the consequences of false recommendations or bad predictions – should be higher. This issue is important in the context of the effectiveness of researchers’ involvement in policymaking, especially in a controversial area such as income distribution.
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