Stigler distinguished the economist’s scientific output from his popular advocacy.

Evidence

Stigler answered the question affirmatively by adopting something akin to the commonsense view of science as rational and reflecting nature (or, in this case, society), and expressing it in the language of commodity exchange: “A rational society must accept tested scientific findings because they reveal a portion of the inescapable external world. Scientific knowledge must be accepted by men of all parties.” Science was a very special kind of commodity, differing from other information-commodities in its effects. Science is rational, and so is society (albeit in a different way), and therefore a rational society must make use of science. Society did need Friedman’s work—not his popularizations, but his economic science. It needed his Monetary History of the United States, but not his Free to Choose. It needed his scientific work, but it did not need to agree with it, much less comprehend it. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 147

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the broader debate over whether neoliberal ideas spread via expert science or mass persuasion — a central theme in the reader’s austerity mapping. — connects to: George Stigler combined formal economics, pro-market politics, and intellectual self-promotion — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 104; Stigler believed intellectual popularity and influence worked against each other — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free…, 437; Stigler held economists gain real influence only through technical work, not public advocacy — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 148 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Stigler held that society needs economic science but not economists’ popular writings. #corroborates (0.95)
• Stigler believed intellectual popularity and influence worked against each other #corroborates (0.85) — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, 437
• Stigler held economists gain real influence only through technical work, not public advocacy #corroborates (0.80) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 148
• Stigler sought patron influence by reshaping economics itself rather than public opinion. #qualifies (0.75) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 152