An Ethics Code of Academic Economists

A December 30th article from the New York Times reports that leaders of the American Economic Association, the world's largest professional society for economists, are considering adopting a code of ethics. This code, among other things, would seek to address questions about if economists should disclose who finances their research, if they should reveal which corporate clients they advise and consult, and if they should even be allowed to serve as corporate directors and officers, as many business and finance professors already do.

According to the article, the proposal to consider adopting a code of ethics was at least partly a response to the new documentary film "Inside Job" that criticizes leading academic economists for their ties to Wall Street as consultants, advisors or corporate directors.