Gobbeldeygook: The Role of Social Science in Lawmaking
Can and should social science influence lawmaking? Is empirical research necessary to offset anecdotal evidence and untested assertions? Why doesn’t some social science get a sympathetic hearing from legal decision makers? On Thursday, March 29th, the Program on Law and Government hosted Professor Susan Carle, Professor Jon Gould and Dean Jessica Waters for a conversation about the role of social science in lawmaking. The panel title, “Gobbeldeygook” was taken from Chief Justice John Roberts’ remarks at oral argument in Gill v Whitford, a political gerrymandering case currently pending before the Supreme Court. The American Sociological Association took issue with his critique of social science and ASA President Eduardo Bonilla-Silva responded in a letter which you can read here. The panel discussion started with Professor Laguarda explaining the test proposed in Gill, after which each of the panelists explained their work and how social science plays a role in it. From voting rights to labor and employment to criminal justice to reproductive rights, law is a field with vast opportunities to make and affect policy, and the panelists explained how understanding the proper use of social science in lawmaking is essential to good lawyering.
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