How numbers rule the world : the use and abuse of statistics in global politics / Lorenzo Fioramonti.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fioramonti, Lorenzo, author.

Series:

Economic controversies.

Economic Controversies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political statistics.

Economic indicators.

Social indicators.

Government information.

Statistics--Social aspects.

Statistics.

Communication in politics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (281 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

[London, England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021

Place of Publication:

London, England : Zed Books, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this eye-opening book, Lorenzo Fioramonti provides a much-needed critique of the current 'data fever', showing both the direct consequences and indirect implications of the increasing power of numbers. At the same time, it investigates innovative attempts to resist the invasion of mainstream statistics by providing alternative measurements or rejecting quantification altogether. An innovative and timely exposé of the politics, power and contestation of numbers in everyday life.

Contents:

Front cover; Economic Controversies; About the author; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; INTRODUCTION The politics of statistics; 1 The power of numbers; Numbers and politics; Trust in numbers; Numbers, markets and democracy; 2 New global rulers: the untameable power of credit rating; Credit rating agencies: from market analysts to oligopolists; Behind the numbers: a shady business; The politics of ratings and the global financial crisis; Ratings and irrationality; 3 Fiddling while the planet burns: the marketization of climate change.

Environmental scepticism and the rise of cost-benefit analysisClimategate: twisting numbers for the climate; Markets for climate; Conclusion: when numbers become dangerous distractions; 4 Measuring the unmeasurable: the financialization of nature; Measuring the value of nature: statistical evolutions in global governance; figure 4.1 Conceptualizing nature's contribution to the economy; Putting a price on ecosystems; The financialization of nature; Conclusion: Nature Inc.; 5 Numbers for good? The quest for aid effectiveness and social impact.

The politics of aid effectiveness: a brief historical overviewThe quest for evidence; The rise of philanthrocapitalism; Numbers strike back home: the politics of impact assessment in the social field; The marketization of 'doing good'; CONCLUSION Rethinking numbers, rethinking governance; In defence of numbers; Beyond good and bad numbers; Governance, numbers and the public sphere; What now? Governance of complexity; Notes; Bibliography; Index; Back cover.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

ISBN:

9781350220645

1350220647

9781780322711

1780322712

9781780322681

1780322682

9781780322698

1780322690

OCLC:

867822457