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The rhetoric of policy relevance in international economics

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  • William Milberg

Abstract

This paper addresses the link between the generation of economic knowledge and economic policy conclusions. Focusing on the case of research in international trade, It establishes a taxonomy of rhetorical practices used to make such a link. The flexibility observed in these practices contrasts markedly with the rigidity of the conventions of theoretical and empirical knowledge creation. A survey of articles on international trade from four major journals from 1988 to 1992 shows that most policy-relevant research is entirely theoretical, but the incidence of rhetorical practices legitimating policy conclusions depends on the nature of the research method (theoretical or empirical), and the journal in which the research is published. The survey data support the conclusion that the flexibility of rhetorical practices is integral to the legitimation of the knowledge generated by international trade economists.

Suggested Citation

  • William Milberg, 1996. "The rhetoric of policy relevance in international economics," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(2), pages 237-259.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:3:y:1996:i:2:p:237-259
    DOI: 10.1080/13501789600000017
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    1. Paul Krugman, 1986. "Strategic Trade Policy and the New International Economics," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262610450, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Maria Bianchi & Cleofas Salviano, 1999. "Raúl Prebisch and the beginnings of the Latin American school of economics: a rhetorical perspective," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 423-438.
    2. William Milberg, 2007. "WP 2006-2 The New Social Science Imperialism and the Problem of Knowledge in Contemporary Economics," SCEPA working paper series. 2006-2, Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA), The New School.
    3. Bianchi, Ana Maria, 2002. "For Different Audiences, Different Arguments: Economic Rhetoric at the Beginning of the Latin American School," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(3), pages 291-305, September.

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