Abstract: After presenting casual evidence of the difference between economists and the rest of the population, I review the survey and experimental evidence on this topic during the last 20 years. I then ask whether these results are applicable to real world situations. To consider this, examples of referenda results in Switzerland are presented where the citizens decided against recommendations of most economists. What is particular in economic theory that causes these differences in convictions? Explanations can point to aspects of positive economic theory and to normative convictions of economists. I conclude with consequences that economists might draw.

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