Advice and dissent : why America suffers when economics and politics collide

**A bestselling economist tells us what both politicians and economists must learn to fix America's failing economic policies**American economic policy ranks as something between bad and disgraceful. As leading economist Alan S. Blinder argues, a crucial cultural divide separates economic and political civilizations. Economists and politicians often talk--and act--at cross purposes: politicians typically seek economists' "advice" only to support preconceived notions, not to learn what economists actually know or believe. Politicians naturally worry about keeping constituents happy and winning elections. Some are devoted to an ideology. Economists sometimes overlook the real human costs of what may seem to be the obviously best policy--to a calculating machine. In__Advice and Dissent__, Blinder shows how both sides can shrink the yawning gap between good politics and good economics and encourage the hardheaded but softhearted policies our country so desperately needs. A bestselling economist tells us what both politicians and economists must learn to fix America's failing economic policies American economic policy ranks as something between bad and disgraceful. As leading economist Alan S. Blinder argues, a crucial cultural divide separates economic and political civilizations. Economists and politicians often talk -- and act -- at cross purposes: politicians typically seek economists' "advice" only to support preconceived notions, not to learn what economists actually know or believe. Politicians naturally worry about keeping constituents happy and winning elections. Some are devoted to an ideology. Economists sometimes overlook the real human costs of what may seem to be the obviously best policy -- to a calculating machine. In Advice and Dissent, Blinder shows how both sides can shrink the yawning gap between good politics and good economics and encourage the hardheaded but softhearted policies our country so desperately needs. Argues That There Is A Cultural Divide Between Economists And Politicians That Results In Bad Economic Policy, With Politicians Using Economic Advice To Bolster Pre-conceived Notions, And Economists Failing To Take Short-term Human Costs Into Account When Focusing On Long-term Economic Efficiency. The Lamppost Theory Of Economic Policy -- Clashing Civilizations -- Lost Horizons? -- Madison's Curse Meets Madison Avenue -- The Media Are The Messengers -- Murphy's Law Of Economic Policy -- Wanted: Hard-headed But Soft-hearted Policies -- Trade Disagreements -- With Liberty And Inequality For All? -- The Political Quicksand Of Tax Reform -- Toward Remedies: Moving The Needle -- Toward Remedies: Moving The Line -- Last Word: On Bridging The Gap. Alan S. Blinder. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.