## An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2024/06/an-economists-pledge-for-people-planet-progress-the-philosophical-theorist)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2024/06/an-economists-pledge-for-people-planet-progress-the-philosophical-theorist/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2024/06/an-economists-pledge-for-people-planet-progress-the-philosophical-theorist/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2024/06/an-economists-pledge-for-people-planet-progress-the-philosophical-theorist/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: THE PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIST
- Published: June 3, 2024

---

### Publication metadata
- F&D Magazine
- THE PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIST
- June 2024
- Less than a minute(0 words) Read

### Core ethical pledge (verbatim principles and commitments)
- I am but one drop amid many in the vast ocean of social, political, and economic realities. Yet, bearing the essence of the entire ocean, I will carry out my duties with detachment, free from emotional ties to outcomes or to the allure of recognition.
- As I dedicate myself to understanding our world and enhancing individual freedoms, informed by past wisdom and the universal principles that bridge human experiences, I pledge to set aside my fleeting urges and elevate my feelings, thoughts, and actions toward wisdom, liberty, and service.
- People behind the numbers
  - I will always remember that behind the numbers and codes there are people with dreams, aspirations, and needs.
- Tradition and freedom
  - In crafting policies, I will respect local traditions, yet be informed by universal human freedoms, while ensuring that my values guide but do not dominate.
- Humble listening, thoughtful speaking
  - With imagination and curiosity, I will aim to uncover unseen layers of people, places, and ideas, valuing understanding over quick judgments.
- Diversity in understanding
  - I will honor truths from diverse voices, regardless of background, eloquence, or identity.
- Mindful of motives, yet objective
  - I will be honest about my personal leanings, politics, and ambitions while making a sincere effort to anchor my work and advice in objectivity.
- Truth through data
  - I commit to using data to uncover and measure the deeper truths of our economic lives, even before I look for cause and effect.
- Grit and grace in learning
  - I promise to continuously hone my expertise, learn from missteps, and stay open to fresh insights, even those that question my core beliefs.
- Progress with perspective
  - Beyond the promotion of individual and national incomes, I vow to enhance progress rooted in human well-being and inclusive prosperity.
- Clarity amid complexity
  - I will communicate my insights clearly and without pretension so that complex ideas are both accessible and respected for their intricacy.
- Shared stewardship
  - Engaged with civil society, I will spur broader participation in economic dialogue, emphasizing our shared stake in the economic future.
- Principled pragmatism
  - Real-world constraints may push me toward quick wins or voter-safe solutions, but I will strive for policies rooted in sound principles and social welfare.
- Mentorship for tomorrow
  - By guiding and inspiring future economists, I will ensure that the torch of wisdom and curiosity shines brighter across eras.
- Future focus
  - I will endeavor to shape an economy that benefits the planet and future generations, placing suitable value on the distant rewards of sustainable growth.
- Seeing the unseen
  - Aware of potential distortions from varying interests, I will remember the unrepresented, weighing visible benefits against unseen costs for silent stakeholders.
- Principled path
  - Even in the absence of external rules or laws, my ethical stance will remain steady—advance progress or avoid harm and never forget my work’s societal implications.

### Intended audience and purpose
- Practicing economists, economic advisors, and mentors who shape policy and public discourse.
- Purpose: to offer a compact ethical pledge framing professional conduct around people, planet, and progress and to guide decisions where data, values, and practical constraints intersect.

### Implementation implications (implicit policy guidance)
- Center economic analysis on human well-being and inclusive prosperity rather than solely on income metrics.
- Use data as the foundation for uncovering and measuring economic truths while remaining open to diverse voices and traditions.
- Balance principled policy design with pragmatic recognition of real-world constraints and democratic considerations.
- Promote civic engagement and mentorship to broaden participation and sustain ethical norms across generations.
- Account for long-term and distributional effects, including unseen costs borne by unrepresented stakeholders and future generations.

*An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress — F&D Magazine, THE PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIST, June 2024*

---

## Content in this bundle

- **An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress**
  - [An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2024/06/economists-oath.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [An Economist’s Pledge for People, Planet, and Progress (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2024/06/economists-oath.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2024/06/an-economists-pledge-for-people-planet-progress-the-philosophical-theorist_