Abhijit Banerjee Quotes

I like to be a strategic policy guy.

In a mature democracy any proposed policy should be subjected to a close analysis of its likely benefits and costs.

Former President George W. Bush has hired a man to lead his presidential think tank in Dallas. The man was hired because he was the only candidate who could say the words, 'George W. Bush think tank' with a straight face.

Let's say I'm on the policy wonk end of the spectrum. As much as I can dive into a briefing book and really work to master various subjects that come before my desk, I'm still not an expert on a huge amount of the stuff that we work on.

Social science has been established not to set policy but to measure its results.

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

I'm a policy guy, believe it or not. I love policy. I love solving tough problems.

I think that policy matters. I'm a policy guy.

There's a lot of new subject matter to learn. You start slowly peeling the onion and start figuring out how the policy and the politics intersect.

I learned that you have to evaluate the effects of public policy as opposed to intentions.

As attorney general, I've had some connection with just about every important public issue in the last eight years in Kentucky. All of the important public issues of the day have, at some point.

Remain close to government and away from politics. It means deal more with the authorities. And less with individuals.

Too often I have seen intelligent, experienced witnesses demolished before these [congressional] committees because they have not taken the trouble to do their homework.... [The witness] is confronted with an independent panel of specialized experts who usually possess vastly more experience than he.

Government is not an exact science.

It never occurred to any of us to consult in this emergency farmers, doctors, lawyers, shoemakers, or even statesmen. We could not escape the belief that the prospect of obtaining what we needed might be somewhat improved by making application to those whose business and surroundings qualified them to intelligently respond.

Our [politicians] responsibility is to be sure that we utilize the best science.

Resolved that all persons or corporations employing counsel or agents to represent their interests in regard to any measure pending at any time before this House or any committee thereof, shall cause the name and authority of such counsel to be filed with the clerk of the House.

Politics is the science of the vital interests of States in the highest sphere.

The great axioms of political science are deduced from the knowledge of the true political interests of all States: in these general interests lies the security for their existence, while the individual interests,—to which the daily or transitory political movements occasionally lend a great importance, and the promotion of which constitutes political wisdom in the eyes of a restless and short-sighted policy,—possess only a relative and secondary worth.

The work of a Russian parliamentarian is very much like the work of an American congressman. It's mainly affecting the policymaking of the government

All policy is targeted in one way or another.

I prefer to work at the policy level, on trying to fix flawed government policies.

Trade deals are not the vehicle for raising or lowering standards of protection for consumers, the environment, workers or anyone else. Regulations are made by governments and parliaments.

I don't write policy for my government.

I want to be an independent and responsible voice for Arizonans, and it would be unwise to endorse a specific approach before the costs and benefits of these options can be evaluated.