Stigler sought patron influence by reshaping economics itself rather than public opinion.

Evidence

Stigler was keen to persuade his newfound patrons that science’s effects truly were special. In an unpublished 1971 memo proposing a privately funded research institute, he insisted: “The relevance of this work to public policy will be both indirect and decisive … It is essentially and exclusively scientific work, and is intended to work its effects upon the appropriate disciplines (economics and political science) rather directly than on public opinion. The work will often shatter the fond hopes of the scholarly professions.” Stigler argued that using science was the best—indeed, the only—way to achieve the influence that patrons might desire. He proposed using two types of studies to deliver this influence. The first would study the effects of past economic policies to develop techniques for auditing and guiding, and therefore controlling, administrative bodies. The second would study and test hypotheses on the nature of the political process, for the purpose of counteracting the attitudes of political scientists and economists within those academic disciplines. Together, these studies would impose the standards of an economic elite on the social sciences. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 152

Categorization

• XREF: This ‘change the discipline, not public opinion’ strategy parallels the law-and-economics movement’s capture of legal academia covered earlier in the book/project. — connects to: Stigler believed intellectual popularity and influence worked against each other — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free…, 437; Mainstream economics gives patrons the knowledge they pay for rather than objective truth. — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 806; Stigler distinguished the economist’s scientific output from his popular advocacy. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 147 (+1 more)
• SEED: Essay angle on how contemporary think tanks (Heritage, AEI) differ from the original Stigler model that aimed at disciplining the profession, not lobbying the public.

Broader Connections

• Mainstream economics gives patrons the knowledge they pay for rather than objective truth. #expands (0.85) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 806