Macroeconomic policy decisions—like setting interest rates or designing stimulus packages—have far-reaching effects on jobs, prices, and economic stability. Yet public discussions about these issues are often oversimplified or misinformed, leading to polarized debates and suboptimal policies. For instance, inflation debates rarely acknowledge tradeoffs with unemployment, and recession responses often devolve into partisan battles rather than evidence-based solutions. This gap between expert consensus and public understanding weakens policy outcomes.

Bridging the Gap Between Experts and Decision-Makers

One way to address this challenge could be by creating a platform that synthesizes expert economic insights into accessible formats for policymakers, journalists, and the public. This might involve:

• Curating expert consensus through surveys or collaborations with nonpartisan research institutions to clarify where economists agree on key issues like monetary policy or financial regulation.
• Forming a "shadow FOMC"—a diverse group of economists providing real-time, data-driven commentary on Federal Reserve decisions.
• Developing model legislation for crises, such as pre-designed stimulus frameworks, to speed up evidence-based responses.
• Producing educational content like explainer videos, podcasts, or newsletters to demystify complex economic concepts.

Execution and Differentiation

A phased approach could start with a simple MVP, such as a newsletter or podcast featuring economist interviews, before scaling to more complex initiatives like consensus surveys or policy templates. Existing think tanks (e.g., Brookings, PIIE) and advocacy groups could be natural collaborators, but the focus would be on synthesizing and translating research rather than conducting original studies. Unlike academic-focused institutions, this platform would prioritize immediacy and clarity, offering real-time analysis and pre-packaged policy solutions during crises.

Potential funding might come from philanthropic grants, media partnerships, or premium subscriptions for policymakers. The key advantage lies in aggregating and simplifying expert insights—filling a gap between specialized research and public discourse.