Consensus and Dissent in Evidence-Based Policy Advice

Economic policy advice often reveals conflicting objectives. Using the example of the German Council of Economic Experts’ evidence-based policy advice, this article presents institutionalised procedures for consensus and dissent in the preparation of its annual report. While consensus is sought in the first two stages of primary data and data analysis, dissent regularly occurs in the third stage of reaching policy conclusions. Dissent is institutionalised through the possibility of authoring minority votes.