计量形式主义还是问题导向主义——拉斯特论基本无用的计量经济学

Metrics Formalism or Problem-based Doctrine:Rust’s Opinion on Mostly Useless Econometrics

拉斯特发表的《基本无用的计量经济学:评估计量经济学的因果效应》一文,以因果效应的探索和验证为主线索,对理论计量经济学过于关注数理技巧、忽视解决实际问题并导致学科衰落的'计量形式主义'现象进行了有理有据的批评。同时,也通过一系列的实例,说明建立问题导向的研究范式的可行性及其在增进人类福祉中的价值。最后,提出关于如何做有用的应用经济学研究的八项建议。拉斯特的思考,对中国学界有关的实证研究的论争具有启示作用。

Mostly Useless Econometrics?Assessing the Causal Effect of Econometric Theory was published by Rust.The papertook exploration and verification of causal effect as main clue,and conducted a well-known criticism aiming to theoreticaleconometrics,over-concern mathematical skills,neglecting to solve practical problems and then leading to discipline decline,which could be concluded as Metrics Formalism.At the same time,he also illustrated feasibility and value of increasing human farewell to establish problem-oriented research paradigm through a series of examples.Finally,he presented eight recommendations on how to do useful research for applied economics.Rust’s thinking has implications for the debate on empirical study among Chinese scholars.