(Why) are economists different?

Arbeitspapier

After presenting some casual evidence about the difference between economists and the rest of the population, first the survey and experimental evidence which has been presented on this topic during the last 20 years is discussed. But can these results really be transferred to real world situations? To show this, examples of referenda results in Switzerland are presented where the citizens decided against recommendations of most economists. But what is so particular in economic theory that causes these different convictions? Some explanations are given with respect to positive economic theory and with respect to the normative convictions of economists. The paper concludes with possible consequences which economists might draw.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 1396

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic Methodology: General
• Subject: cooperative behaviour ; indoctrination ; self-selection ; referenda results ; economic model of behaviour ; commitment ; fairness of the market ; Wirtschaftswissenschaftler ; Meinung ; Experiment ; Referendum ; Positive Ökonomik ; Normative Ökonomik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Kirchgässner, Gebhard
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2005

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/18760
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET