This commentary, which is the second in a series, seeks to discover why the most productive societies utilise data, especially statistical data, to drive prosperity.
The Virgin Islands is a lively democracy. Political activity is never far from the surface. The territory is a live wire of street-corner talk, radio shows, and social media trolls. Commentators attempt to draw the public’s attention to various issues emotively and with excitement. However, when discussing matters important to the territory, a lack of data and information results in too much emotion and entertainment and not enough substance. This is especially so for issues of governance and politics.
Insufficient data from the lack of a rigorous culture of metrical information-gathering limits the offerings of even the traditional print media. Appropriate and timely data and statistics would offer a great backdrop to this lively media subculture, driving greater accuracy and more effective reporting.
Accountability
By giving the public greater knowledge of events, accurate statistics allow the people to hold government to account much more. Data is raw material for the media and public. Turning that raw material into information, and then into appropriate news and commentary, is the key role of the news media.
Having the numbers to measure the social and economic outcomes of VI society makes for a much more effective national media. Arguing that the territory is not doing well, or that the economy is not functioning at the optimum level, ultimately depends on knowing the appropriate and relevant numbers. Successful governments and organisations are data-driven.
Without knowledge of the numbers, most argument on politics and economy is empty talk based on emotion.
Saying things are “bad” is not enough. Where are the numbers that tell the story? It is not enough to state an economy is poor without showing how. That how is revealed with numbers.
Economic red flags
For instance, declining gross domestic product or rising unemployment may point to a slowing economy marching into recession. High crime rates affect travel and tourism and consumer confidence. Increasing cancer rates point to a need to get to the root of the problem.
Statistics would offer insight into all these areas by offering numbers for consecutive years that reveal trends.
For government and businesses, stats offer a map of the past and a road to the present and future. Where were we five years ago, and how did we get here five years later? What brought us to this present place, and how could we have done things differently?
Leaders in government or business who adopt the use of statistical information purposefully are better able to steer their nations and organisations. Consumers and citizens, too, are able to adopt appropriate opinion and perspective on matters. Statistics offer insight and even wisdom.