Organizing to Count: Change in the Federal Statistical System

This volume documents a history of public and governmental inattention to the federal statistical system. Due to this neglect, the U.S. has lost its position as the world statistical leader and is no longer competitive with many other industrialized nations. Increasing decentralization, lack of coordination, and quality of data are some of the concerns addressed. The volume presents policy recommendations, ranging from structural to legislative, that would make the U.S. statistical system competitive once again and ensure that the government and public alike have access to the data necessary to make wise policy choices.