Economics and public policy: brookings lectures, 1954

THE BROOKINGS LECTURES were inaugurated in 1954 to advance research in the social sciences. For this initial series, six distinguished economists were invited to discuss various aspects of policy as a concern of economics. The audience consisted mainly of social scientists in government, in neighboring institutions, and from the Brookings staff.
The theme of these lectures relates directly to the objectives of the Brookings Institution, which are to advance knowledge and understanding of economic and political problems, both national and international, and of the courses of action that may be pursued in dealing with them. The purpose of the Institution in advancing knowledge and understanding is to facilitate the making of informed decisions in the public interest on matters of general concern.
This emphasis on research for the guidance of action involves considerably more than a concern with immediate problems and the application of existing knowledge. Al though the investigation of current problems must go on, the larger task is to advance the use of the social sciences in the rational conduct of social affairs.