Dr Anna Killick: Politicians and Economic Experts: The Limits of Technocracy

In this lecture, Dr Anna Killick discusses her book, Politicians and Economic Experts: The Limits of Technocracy, an in-depth study of how politicians engage with economists and economic opinion. In recent years politics has seen an increasing role in economic policymaking for a technocracy of experts. How do politicians feel about this and how do they balance their political and ethical aims with economic expertise? In Politicians and Economic Experts: The Limits of Technocracy, Anna Killick offers an in-depth study of how politicians engage with economists and economic opinion. Based on interviews with politicians from the main parties in France, Germany, Denmark, the UK and USA, the book highlights the role economic opinion plays in politics and the tension that can arise between democracy and technocracy. While increasing numbers including on the left call for greater deference to economic experts, Killick argues we have no choice other than to trust politicians to continue to take the lead. This event took place on 20 June 2023. It forms part of the IPR's 'Polycrisis!' lecture series.