The economic consensus on such matters as the benefits of trade, technology and global integration has taken a political battering recently. We asked young economists of #LiNoEcon about their perspectives on what is often referred to as a ‘post-truth’ era, and what they think economists could or should do to combat it.
I think it is hubris to think that the economic consensus has ever played a role in influencing the man on the street. While the effects of trade nationalism may be catastrophic in economic dimensions I feel that in other research disciplines (e.g., climate research) the stakes are much higher. Consequently, we should stay resilient, persistent and join our fellow researchers from other fields speaking up in the name of truth.
Chris Flath from Germany
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Economists and other academic researchers are often wary of over representing their findings, which does not make it easy to communicate the complexities of these problems to the public.
Sarah Quincy from the US
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
I think that this fact is mainly the outcome of the financial crisis and, more importantly, of the growing inequality in our societies.
Dimitris Papadimitriou from Greece
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Political instability worldwide associated with migration flows and the financial crisis of 2008 (and thus rising income inequality) might be responsible for the development of extreme political and economic attitudes across society, especially in Europe.
Helena Chytilova from the Czech Republic
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
I don’t think that this ‘post-truth’ phenomenon is a reaction against truth or science, but against ideology-based opinions disguised as facts.
Pedro Degiovanni from Argentina
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Communicate, communicate, communicate. We need to better explain our work and results, and actively engage in a discussion with the greater public.
Sofie R. Waltl from Austria
Photo/Credit: Christian Flemming/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
I believe we as economists need to do a much better job of communicating ideas, basic economic concepts and research findings in a manner conducive to being easily understood by lay persons.
Farooq Pasha from Pakistan
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The tackling of anti-intellectualism should follow from building a consensus that is capable of better foreseeing the consequences of the policies justified by it. Additionally, economists would be in a much better position to address anti-intellectualism if we embraced natural sciences, and built the profession as a natural offspring of other major disciplines.
Benjamin Leiva from the US
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
In my opinion, the dissemination of information is the best way to combat the ‘post-truth’ mentality. Economists and researcher in various fields of study should try to connect their work with people; the debate should come out of closed circles, be more interactive and open to the dialogue in various areas of society using simple and easily accessible communication tools.
Giovanna Zeny from Brazil
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
While I believe it is important to speak in terms everyone can understand when explaining economic ideas, economists should not simplify so much as to say ‘trade is always good’ when we know that trade creates winners and losers.
Andrew Jonelis from the US
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Our policies should have in mind the poorest, neediest, and least educated citizens in our societies. We need a Europe that takes care first of all of those citizens who do not travel abroad and do not speak any other idiom than their native language. Once we’ll have that Europe, we will be dramatically closer to a truly united Europe.
Alessandro del Ponte from Italy
Photo/Credit: Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
