George Stigler Quote

A rational man must be guided by the incentive system within which he operates. No matter what his own personal desires, he must be discouraged from certain activities if they carry penalties and attracted toward others if they carry large rewards. The carrot and the stick guide scientists and politicians as well as donkeys.


Stigler (1975, p. 171) as cited in: Owen E.Hughes (2003) Public Management and Administration. p. 11


A rational man must be guided by the incentive system within which he operates. No matter what his own personal desires, he must be discouraged from...

A rational man must be guided by the incentive system within which he operates. No matter what his own personal desires, he must be discouraged from...

A rational man must be guided by the incentive system within which he operates. No matter what his own personal desires, he must be discouraged from...

A rational man must be guided by the incentive system within which he operates. No matter what his own personal desires, he must be discouraged from...