Lies and beauty contests

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Economists with the slightest measure of common sense treat statistics with great caution. They have good reason, especially so in developing countries where there are few resources for something that is considered by policy makers as ‘irrelevant’ as statistics.

But in developed countries the statistics that are provided by agencies responsible are often very questionable and depend on political interests of those in power.  A statistic is an attempt to capture a very complex reality in one number and so it is bound to be flawed- but not all statistics are born equal, some are more flawed than others. 

 

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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