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  4. September 2014
  5. Review Essay on Charles F. Manski's Public Policy in an Uncertain World: Analysis and Decisions

Journal of Economic Literature

ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)

Review Essay on Charles F. Manski's Public Policy in an Uncertain World: Analysis and Decisions

  • John Geweke
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 52, no. 3, September 2014
(pp. 799–804)
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Abstract

Public policy setting often involves quantitative choices with quantitative outcomes. Yet unqualified statements about the precise consequences of alternative choices characterize much of the policy analysis bearing on these decisions. Public Policy in an Uncertain World: Analysis and Decisions by Charles F. Manski characterizes and richly illustrates the nature of this unwarranted certitude. It details specific constructive alternatives on which the economics profession has achieved varying degrees of consensus. Those in our profession charged with the education of future policy analysts should consider using it and how to round out its presentation of decision making from their own perspective.

Citation

Geweke, John. 2014. "Review Essay on Charles F. Manski's Public Policy in an Uncertain World: Analysis and Decisions." Journal of Economic Literature, 52 (3): 799–804. DOI: 10.1257/jel.52.3.799

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • D02 Institutions: Design, Formation, and Operations
  • D04 Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
  • D80 Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty: General
  • E61 Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination