Topic 1 - Statistics Flashcards
(8 cards)
What are the 4 required readings for statistics an describe each one in a few words
Didier (2020) - Do statistics perform the economy (Using case study of US agriculture)
Porter (1994)
Tooze (2008)
Searle (2015)
For Didier (2020)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
- Didier (2020) investigates to what extent statistics are performative
- Uses a case study from US Agriculture between WW1 and WW2:
- Focuses on the Bureau and how the statistics were created
- Draws on archives and personal accounts
- Results - Statistics did have real effects on the economy
- They worked in feedback loops as the statistics impacted each stakeholder which then caused a reaction from that stakeholder.
- They had a lagged effect as the stakeholder only acted on it in t+1.
- Argues that performative is misleading as it is the reality that is created by words or theories.
- Rather statistics express economic realities
For Porter (1994)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
- Porter argues that statistics do not merely describe reality but they can be used as a political tools
- Uses examples from 18-20th century USA in a comparative case study approach
- Result 1: Statistics can change what they measure. Before probability was made into a mathematical concept it had a different meaning to today.
- Result 2: Standardisation allows for the surveillance and extra control as the government can create the frameworks.
- Results 3: Statistics can appear to turn political debates into maths ones - US engineering Corps.
For Searle (2015)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
Argument - statistical tools like the COLI introduced in 1914 were highly politicised tools, that did not just describe reality.
Research design: Uses archives from budget reports, daily mirror newspapers and Parliamentary reforms.
- Uses a chronological structure from the 5 main periods from 1914-1962
Results:
- The basket was incorrectly weighted based on 1914 consumption patterns. 60% of the basket was food.
- It did not just describe the economy but had political consequences:
It was connected to wages, pensions and spending
Was connected on a sliding scale to changes in wages so could have automatic consequences. - It was widely argued to be inaccurate however, for convenience it was not changed.
For example, the falling index was good for keeping wages low. - When changes were made it was not for technical reasons, but that the cost of inaction was more costly.
Interpretation:
Searle shows that indexes are not just numbers but political choices.
They can mask political decisions as rational
For Tooze (2008)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
What are recommended readings on statistics?
Daniel and Lanata-Briones (2019)
Lanata-Briones (2021)
For Daniel and Lanata-Briones (2019)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
Focuses on how CPI in Argentina became the focus of Political battleground in 2007-2015, after it was suggested that INDEC was manipulating data. Shows that statistics are not neutral tools but political instruments.
Research Design:
Qualitative case study
INDEC records
Interviews and press reports
Results:
From 2007 the CPI became politicised and manipulated and was seen as a sign of state dishonesty.
Trust in INDEC collapsed and the key actors like economists stopped using
Interpretation:
Statistics only work when trusted
Everyone tried to rethink how to
For Serra (2014)
What is the argument
Research Design
Results
Interpretation
In Colonial Ghana (1951-1957) the state created an uneven statistical topography where it only took statistics where they were needed
Research Design:
Historical case study using government reports and archives
Results:
The state collected data where they had cocoa not in the poor north
Collection was strategic, in places of political unrest
Statistics were used to expand state control.
