Research in Political Statistics

myata · February 6, 2023

Attention PhD students and simply scientists, professionally or by the call of heart. To your attention is offered a concept of an interesting, intriguing and revealing statistical project. The idea is simple: over a period, let's say ten years, on this forum, we can take this specific one, we can take the topics that have been discussed here, and divide them into categories by perceived social impact. How is a matter of discussion and research but let's assume it is possible, eventually.

The next step is evaluation of the action, addressing the issues. Here only a few categories:

Something was attempted (a real, factual change in the observable reality, discussions, legislations, even appointed obscene $$$ public offices wouldn't count). Once more, we are interested in real, visible and measurable change in the reality of the country, not so much jerks, squeezes and squeaks of the bureaucratic machine. The former (change), and the latter (squeezes and squeaks) is not necessarily one and the same thing, an important assumption of the study.

There was an observed, measured and visible improvement in the situation as a result of attempted action.

And the last one, the action has been effective, observed improvement substantial and the problem or issue, etc., effectively solved.

An example (converted to numerical format, for simplicity):

Real action Visible effect Solved Cost to the public (added column)

Issue 0 0 0 50M (e.g)

Issue 1 0 0

Issue 1 1 1

and so on. Easy, no? Suggestions and improvements always welcome. An for completeness of picture one can add another column (see example): the estimated cost to the public (and that already includes all of the above).

What do you think, wouldn't such a project be interesting and useful? Who could be interested in the connection of political theatrics and drama to the real, actual, measurable and factual positive change in the reality of the country?

Edited February 6, 2023 by myata