Ethics, Disclosure and Economists

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol

The NY Times has an interesting story about the American Economics Association creating an ethics code that would include disclosure of conflicts of interest.

For some time, I have suggested an ethics guide of sorts for antitrust.  If the DOJ and/or FTC have a hearing and invite someone to testify, that person should disclose any party whom they are billing or will bill for their testimony.  The Antitrust Law Journal requires disclosure if you have represented a party in an article that you write or if you have any other financial interests at stake in the article.  The agencies should do the same.