Each discipline has its own framing and conventions. Economics emphasises the identification of key variables and relationships and their estimation using quantitative research methods, with common reliance on econometrics. The approaches shape what is observed and any resulting policy...

The approach taken to child support in New Zealand has shaped perceptions and outcomes. Despite ongoing dissatisfaction, substantial changes to the legislation have yet to be made. The current Government is considering changes which address some of the major issues: costs of children; incomes of...

This paper considers the role of theory in our understanding of economic phenomena. While theoretical findings are sometimes claimed to have direct, real world relevance, this is based on rhetoric rather than logic. Theory can and has been considered as analogy, metaphor or framing. These...

Research findings sometimes play a part in the policy making process. This can happen through direct use of analysis, or through their impact on public perceptions and preferences as a result of media coverage. There are opportunities in this process for distortions to occur. This paper looks at...

The Ministry of Economic Development's guidelines for policy assessment and regulatory impact analysis give a clear indication of the significance of economics in the policy making process. However, several texts on policy are scathing and sometimes strongly dismissive of economics. A...

Anthony Downs assumed no false information, and no irrationality. Neither of these assumptions is realistic in politics. Adam Smith recognised the role of rhetoric (deliberative eloquence) in political debate. Modern approaches to political processes, agenda setting and discourse analysis also...

Research findings sometimes play a part in the policy making process. This can happen through direct use of analysis, or through their impact on public perceptions and preferences as a result of media coverage. There are opportunities in this process for distortions to occur. This paper looks at...

Current perceptions on general issues arise as a result of both logic and rhetoric, with logic focusing on proof and rhetoric on persuasion. Arguably, rhetoric plays the larger part. Traditionally, rhetoric related to individual disputes, or 'micro' issues. Modern analyses have focused on...

The concept of the shadow of the law refers to the way laws can affect people's actions even when there is no direct legal involvement. Often the law is used to “send a signal”. This paper presents an economics perspective on this concept. An illustrative game is presented and several...

This paper considers the role of theory in our understanding of economic phenomena. While theoretical findings are sometimes claimed to have direct, real world relevance, this is based on rhetoric rather than logic. Theory can and has been considered as analogy, metaphor or framing. These...