Juan Cole Quotes

If economists were to wait for careful studies before offering opinions about policy, we would never have anything timely to say.

In the long run, much public opinion is made in the universities; ideas generated there filter down through the teaching profession and the students into the general public.

Well they have an input into policy but in the end governments are elected to put together policy but the good thing about the Wentworth Group is that you know you've got 11 pretty capable people with a lot of good ideas.

Whenever I am among my fellow Governors, I am struck by how many face the same education improvement issues.

President Obama's first term in office has been better for intentions than for actual changes in planning and policy. I do believe, and he has several things to this effect, that he would like to provide universal preschool or at least far more preschool for our children.

The influence of a science adviser is only as good as ears open to that science advice.

For six and a half years, I had responsibility for leading the Labour party policy on education and delivering on our promise of improved opportunities for all our children.

I was an intelligence officer, not a policy-maker.

There's a big difference between the role of an academic and the role of someone in government. That's a cliche, but in academic life if you say things that are common sense and people nod their heads, it's not very useful. You're not adding anything.

I liked the give-and-take of a policy discussion in the community, with citizens. I didn't know that even took place, frankly, but I never dreamed it would be an enjoyable thing to do.

I think I can change things for the better in this country. I'm doing it now as well, in many areas, mostly in education, higher education and technological entrepreneurship. But I think I could do a lot more from a presidential position.

I've spent quality time in the aerospace community, with my service on two presidential commissions, but at heart, I'm an academic. Being an academic means I don't wield power over person, place or thing. I don't command armies; I don't lead labor unions. All I have is the power of thought.

Avoid any specific discussion of public policy at public meetings.

Groups that advocate open government have argued that it's vital to know the names of White House visitors, who may have an outsized influence on policy matters.

Conflicts over the public-school curriculum are commonplace, clamorous and unproductive. The two sides talk (more frequently, shout) past each other. Protesters often suggest that anyone who disagrees must be un-Christian, immoral, racist or sexist.

They [educators] don't want to hear my views on education. They just want the [federal] money.

How can we decide matters of public policy when we cannot understand them?

You can’t start a conversation about public policy by saying it is complex.

It is hard for the Chinese to understand that our policies are in great part the result of a number of random actions of different domestic pressure groups and not part of an overall plan.

I tell Administration officials this is the science. This is the recommendation. What they do with it is beyond my control.

Arguments are made in Washington with very few facts behind them.

Continued adherence to a policy of compulsory education is utterly incompatible with efforts to establish lasting peace…. the state, the government, the laws must not in any way concern themselves with schooling or education. Public funds must not be used for such purposes. The rearing and instruction of youth must be left entirely to parents and to private associations and institutions.

Nostalgia should not set policy.

You are not stepchildren of Brown. On the contrary, you have been favored by a radical and, to many, unbelievable change in policy. ... You are students in Brown University; you have open to you all its educational facilities ... you are meeting regular curricular requirements

I'm not a policy wonk - I'm somewhere between being undecided and a surrogate.