Quack policy - Jamie Whyte

Politicians and lobbyists who promote new regulations and taxes often claim that the case for increased government Intervention is supported by scientific evidence. Indeed, 'evidence-based policy' has been central to the growth of the regulatory state. This monograph exposes the deficiencies of this approach. Four policy areas are examined: minimum alcohol pricing, passive smoking, global warming and happiness. In each rose, the use of scientific evidence is shown to be deeply flawed. The policy-making process is characterised by basic methodological errors, as well as self-interested behaviour by the experts involved. Academic and political elites also use such policies to impose their own values on society as a whole, demonstrating contempt for the preferences of the general public. The author concludes that much evidence based policy is grounded on poor scientific reasoning and very poor economics.