Suggestion: For Government to make use of the survey results and produce
policies likely to achieve the declared aims.
Failures to reduce a widening income gap between rich and poor were
indicated by Dorling, Shaw and Gordon in their talk on Wednesday
(International Centre for Health and Society National Science Week Seminar)
despite many political statements of intent in relation to inequity. We
need to make politicians argue HOW their policies are likely to succeed.
At least some evidence for proposed measures should be included in white
papers.
But since an evaluation of the processes involved is needed this may really
be operational research.
Janet Shapiro
----- Original Message -----
From: "ray thomas" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: Wealth and consumption
> There is lots to be said about Andrew Philpott Morgan's message. But one
> point about economic statistics and social statistics deserves immediate
> response because the matter should be of ascertainable fact and should be
of
> general interest.
>
> Does anyone know of any estimates of expenditure on economic statistics
> relative to that of social statistics?
>
> In terms of outputs there is a constrast. Economic statistics became
> established more than half a century ago in response to acceptance of
> Keynesian demonstration of the possibiltiy of managing the economy. The
> blue books have become fatter and more detailed over the years but it is
not
> clear whether the greater detail shown has required commensurate increases
> in costs.
>
> But as far as social surveys are concerned there has been a dramatic
> transformation. In the 1960s there were only two regularly conducted
> social surveys - the National Food Survey and the Family Expenditure
Survey.
> The 2001 census question on religion means that it can now be said that
> every important aspect of life in Britain is now covered by a major social
> survey. Not all of these are paid for by government. The Household
> Panel Survey, the British Social Attitudes Surveys, the 1994 National
Survey
> of Sexual Atttudes and Lifestyles, and numerous surveys conducted by the
> media industry are privately financed.
>
> But the transformation has been marked in government surveys. The NFS
and
> FES are now merged. The General Household Survey first conducted in 1971
> has been followed by the National Travel Survey, the Labour Force Survey,
> the British Crime Survey, the Family Resources Survey, and numerous Health
> Surveys, Housing Surveys and developments in longitudinal studies.
>
> No one can complain nowadays at lack of survey evidence. Andrew says
that
> Radstats has been campaiging for years for a higher priority for social
> surveys. These campaigns seem to have been successful! What might
> Radstats campaign for nowadays?
>
> Ray Thomas, Faculty of Social Sciences
> Open University,
> 35 Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, MK6 3DY
> Tel 01908 679081 Fax 01908 550401
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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