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A Dangerous Dependency

Does victory for radical Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn signify a wider rejection of expertise?

Issue 37, 26th September 2015
| Responsible for Britain's economy as Chancellor of the Exchequer under John Major, now President of the Economic Research Council
1,851 words
Read time: approx. 9 mins

We rely on experts in every field. Yet from economists to climate scientists they hold wildly disparate views. Might the very idea of objective knowledge be illusory and expertise be a form of institutional power? If we were more sceptical would it lead to democracy or bring chaos?

Norman Lamont was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Major and Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Margaret Thatcher. He is now President of the Economic Research Council. Here he speaks to the IAI about the role of the expert in a democracy, the future of the Eurozone, and why Jeremy Corbyn has proved so popular with disillusioned voters.

 

What is the role of the expert in today’s society?

Norman Lamont
Issue 37, 26th September 2015

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energyblogger 13 October 2015

This is hardly on the topic indicated by the sub-title (Jeremy Corbyn and expertise in politics). It is just a platform for a political rant by Norman Lamont on the EU. Sorry IAI, you are being used, as similarly by Nigel Lawson on climate change. You can do better as a platform for ideas.