Talking to the public about

Talking to the public about regulation

Andrew Chamberlain (The Idea Shop) looks for economists who can talk about the economics of regulation without too much jargon. He finds three. This is a post about communication. Chamberlain wants economists to talk to the public more clearly.

"...Most regular people don�t notice�or care about�how regulations impact daily life.

Partly, this is economists� fault. Many of us have forgotten that ideas�just like goods in the marketplace�need marketing. With just a little improved story-telling, economists can make a big difference in helping people see why regulation matters in practical, concrete terms.

To pick an easy one: Once upon a time, air travel was an expensive luxury. Then in 1978, airlines got deregulated and everything changed. Ticket prices fell 40 percent. Suddenly, we witnessed something incredible: for the first time, low- and middle-income Americans could afford to see the world�something historically only available to the rich.

Sure it leaves out a lot. But that�s what make it a powerful story. It contains no math. It doesn�t use the word �efficiency�. And it helps people who don�t care about economics see why regulation matters..."

Be concrete. Tell a story. Use words that resonate with people ("efficiency" isn't usually one). Read his whole post. Study his introductory paragraph (advice to self).