Government Statistical Agencies and the Politics of Credibility

AvCosmo Wyndham Howard

Inbunden, Engelska, 2021

Del i serien Cambridge Studies in Comparative Public Policy

1 100 kr

Beställningsvara. Skickas inom 7-10 vardagar. Fri frakt över 249 kr.

Fler format och utgåvor

Häftad

228 kr

Beskrivning

Who decides how official statistics are produced? Do politicians have control or are key decisions left to statisticians in independent statistical agencies? Interviews with statisticians in Australia, Canada, Sweden, the UK and the USA were conducted to get insider perspectives on the nature of decision making in government statistical administration. While the popular adage suggests there are 'lies, damned lies and statistics', this research shows that official statistics in liberal democracies are far from mistruths; they are consistently insulated from direct political interference. Yet, a range of subtle pressures and tensions exist that governments and statisticians must manage. The power over statistics is distributed differently in different countries, and this book explains why. Differences in decision-making powers across countries are the result of shifting pressures politicians and statisticians face to be credible, and the different national contexts that provide distinctive institutional settings for the production of government numbers.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2021-03-18
Mått:230 x 150 x 15 mm
Vikt:490 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Cambridge Studies in Comparative Public Policy
Antal sidor:246
Förlag:Cambridge University Press
ISBN:9781108491228

Utforska kategorier

Mer om författaren

Cosmo Howard is Senior Lecturer, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University. He has taught political science, public policy and administration in Australia and Canada. His research has been published in several books and leading international journals including Governance and Public Administration. He has worked as a consultant for Australian and Canadian governments.

Recensioner i media

'In this dramaturgical sociology of statisticians in five liberal democracies, Cosmo Howard has produced a wonderfully rich set of insights into expertise, authority and the public performances of statistical systems. This enjoyable and in-depth examination uncovers the struggles for credibility of both politicians and statisticians, in the twenty-first century. In doing so it highlights the importance of performative strategies for all experts.' Jenny M Lewis, Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia

Innehållsförteckning

Introduction; 1. Credibility and official statistics; 2. Australia; 3. Canada; 4. Sweden; 5. The United Kingdom; 6. The United States of America; 7. Conclusions; Notes; List of cited interviews by order of appearance; References; Index.

Inbunden

1 245 kr