What Tim Harford thinks about government
Economist and journalist; Financial Times columnist as The Undercover Economist, author of How to Make the World Add Up, and presenter of the Cautionary Tales podcast.
Tim Harford did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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2 dated positions, 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Tim Harford has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingSerious policy reform requires changing regulations or the tax system, not just behavioural nudges.
Their wordsI've also argued that while nudges can be quick, easy and effective, serious policy action usually requires a change to regulations or the tax system.
↗Nudge or tax? At last, some datatimharford.com 1st of 2 in this piece
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Their wordsAll too often, politicians are turning their back on the most beneficial policies because they lack the political courage or the political skill to introduce them.
↗Nudge or tax? At last, some datatimharford.com 2nd of 2 in this piece