Using and Abusing Economic Theory
32 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 2003
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Using and Abusing Economic Theory
Date Written: March 2003
Abstract
Economic theory is often abused in practical policy-making. There is frequently excessive focus on sophisticated theory at the expense of elementary theory; too much economic knowledge can sometimes be a dangerous thing. Too little attention is paid to the wider economic context, and to the dangers posed by political pressures. Superficially trivial distinctions between policy proposals may be economically significant, while economically irrelevant distinctions may be politically important. I illustrate with some disastrous government auctions, but also show the value of economic theory.
Keywords: Economic theory, methodology, auctions, bidding, auction theory, spectrum auctions, telecommunications, UMTS, 3G, mobile-phones
JEL Classification: D44, L96
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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