Government Statistical Agencies and the Politics of Credibility

Cosmo Wyndham Howard (Griffith University, Queensland)

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English

Cambridge University Press
09 March 2023

Comparative politics; Economic statistics; Finance

Series: Cambridge Studies in Comparative Public Policy

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.

By: Cosmo Wyndham Howard (Griffith University Queensland)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 362g
ISBN: 9781108811750
ISBN 10: 1108811752
Series: Cambridge Studies in Comparative Public Policy
Pages: 244
Publication Date: 09 March 2023
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

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.

Reviews for Government Statistical Agencies and the Politics of Credibility

'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