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Abstract.  Economists' credibility has been waning in recent years. Critics usually cite the profession's preoccupation with abstract reasoning and its focus on seemingly irrelevant topics that hold little interest for individuals outside the discipline. While economic science has enormous potential for improving living standards, the profession's adverse reputation is indicative of a discipline seemingly void of any social contribution. This article presents the results of a recently conducted survey of professional economists. The survey was undertaken to ascertain economists' opinions of their own professional work, including the progress of economic research, its usefulness for society, and factors that determine the publication of that research.

The part played by economists in the Second World War has been little studied but was of an importance not appreciated by the public then or since. Equally, wartime experience had an influence on the development of economics as a discipline that has been given little attention. It was in the Second World War that economists in any number entered government service, discovered government, exercised a major influence on policy and left behind an expanding demand for economic advice from professional economists. This article seeks to provide a sketch of some of their activities.

'The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics,' by William Easterly is reviewed.

Takes exception with descriptions of Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) as a third-rate theorist to argue that he was both a fine economist & a good political scientist. Consideration is given to Bastiat's ideas about method, the economic order, law, distribution, value, & money. He believed in the existence of universal laws in political economy & the importance of method in economics. The compatibility of Bastiat's thinking with libertarianism is explored, along with his emphasis on harmony between economics, politics, & ethics even though he acknowledged that human interests can sometimes be based on evil. Other matters considered include Bastiat's meaning of harmony in relation to the law & the market; his aversion to excessive government spending; his description of value as "in service" (human actions carried out for others); & his theory that legitimacy is arrived at from the exchange of services, not labor. Bastiat's view of economics as the science of activity/reciprocal services & his predictions that have come to pass are discussed. J. Lindroth