Jean Drèze

Development economist and public policy scholar known for work on poverty, food security and social policy in India; guest in this episode discussing the strengths and limits of RCTs and evidence-informed policymaking.

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Oct 27, 2025 • 41min

‘Evidence-based’ approach and RCTs: Can they distort policy-making?

In a compelling discussion, Jean Drèze, a development economist known for his work on poverty and social policy in India, critiques the reliance on Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) in policymaking. He reveals their ethical limitations and risks of harm, highlighting the Bihar payment experiment as a cautionary tale. Drèze argues that overvaluing RCTs narrows the evidence pool and depoliticizes policy discussions. He emphasizes the need for values and deliberation beyond mere data, warning against aligning RCTs too closely with technocratic approaches.

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