Michael Gove on Experts
TL;DR
Michael Gove believes the public is rightly tired of establishment experts whose forecasts have often proven incorrect.
Key Points
He famously declared in June 2016 that people have 'had enough of experts' during the EU referendum debate.
He later clarified that this referred to experts from specific organizations whose economic forecasts proved consistently wrong, not expertise generally.
He stresses the importance of looking for dissenting views and testing propositions, even when an apparent consensus exists, to foster a rigorous debating culture.
Summary
Michael Gove has stated that the public has "had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong," a remark made during the 2016 European Union referendum campaign. He emphasized that his comment was taken out of context and was specifically aimed at experts from certain organizations whose predictions, particularly regarding the economy, had failed. Rather than rejecting all expertise, he advocates for seeking out the dissenting voice when a settled consensus exists, urging the testing of every proposition rather than accepting things on trust due to an expert's position.
This stance reflects a broader skepticism toward perceived elite consensus, which he feels is disconnected from the experiences of a substantial part of the population. While he contends that expertise matters and points to the proven value of scientific input, such as during the COVID-19 vaccine development, he argues against intellectual conformity. His position implies a need for experts to maintain credibility by ensuring their arguments are well-constructed and that they acknowledge uncertainty, rather than merely reinforcing an agenda.
Key Quotes
I think the people in this country have had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Michael Gove's core position is skeptical of uncritical trust in establishment figures, particularly those from large organizations whose professional forecasts have been demonstrably inaccurate. He contends that the public felt unheard by this group during debates like the Brexit referendum. He does not reject all expertise, however.
Yes, Michael Gove made the statement, but he asserts it was taken out of context by skilled interrogators during interviews. The full quote specified experts from certain organizations that he felt had consistently misjudged economic outcomes, such as those concerning the EU referendum.
He advises that people should always look for the dissenting voice when faced with a settled consensus. He believes one should test every proposition and scrutinize arguments rather than accepting them solely based on the credentials or position of the person making them.
Sources9
“The people of this country have had enough of experts” | London Business School
Michael Gove on the Trouble With Experts | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank
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Has the public really had enough of experts? | Institute for Government
You're wrong Michael Gove – experts are trusted far more than you
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Fact check: what did Michael Gove actually say about 'experts'?
Yes, Mr. Gove, The Experts Were Right About Brexit - EA WorldView
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.