Government Statistical Agencies and the Politics of Credibility

Explore the intricate relationship between government statistical agencies and the politics of credibility in "Government Statistical Agencies and the Politics of Credibility" by Cosmo Howard. Published by Cambridge University Press in 2021, this insightful hardback book spans 200 pages and delves into the critical question of who truly controls the production of official statistics. Through in-depth interviews with statisticians from Australia, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Howard reveals how the power dynamics surrounding statistics vary across different nations. This engaging analysis not only sheds light on the role of independent statistical agencies but also uncovers the influence of political actors in shaping data integrity. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of statistics and governance, this book is essential for understanding the complexities of credibility in public data.