Dear George DeMartino  
Worth looking at may be George Stigler's views on economists' policy = 
recommendations. As he argues "Economists generally share the ruling = 
values of their societies, but their professional competence does not = 
consist in translating popular wishes into an awe-inspiring professional = 
language. Their competence consists in understanting how an economic = 
system works under alternative institutional frameworks. If they have = 
anything of their own to contribute to the popular discussion of = 
economic policy, it is some special understanding of the relationship = 
between policies and results of policies. The basic role of the = 
scientist in public policy,  therefore, is that of establishing the = 
costs and benefits of alternative institutional arrangements. Smith had = 
no professional right to advise England on the Navigation Acts unless he = 
had evidence of their effects and the probable effects of their repeal. = 
A modern economist has no professional to advise the federal government = 
to regulate or deregulate the railroads unless he has evidence of the = 
effects of these policies" ( "The Economist and the State", Presidential = 
Address AEA 1964, American Economic Review, 1965, vol.LV, pp. 1-2). 
 
On a more practical level, there are countries where economists must = 
register into a professional body (just like medical doctors, lawyers or = 
engineers) before they can legally claim to be economists. These = 
professional bodies almost always define a set of rules to be observed = 
by their members which amount to a sort of professional ethics for = 
economits. In the portuguese case the Ordem dos Economistas = 
(http://www.ordemeconomistas.pt) has a special section dedicated to = 
professional deontology = 
(http://www.ordemeconomistas.pt/estatuto.html#cap10) where definition is = 
given of the rules of behaviour the economist must follow when = 
exercising the profession.  
 
Best regards,  
F=E1tima Brand=E3o