Talk:Committee for Economic Development

Committee for Economic Development page

Hi Rjensen, Hope all is well. I see that you removed all of the changes that I made yesterday on the Wikipedia page for the Committee for Economic Development. I am the organization's Communications Manager, and I have been tasked by our management team at CED to update the page with current information, new research, updated focus areas, and changes to our bi-annual policy conferences and awards celebration. All of the changes I made in the two versions from yesterday (12.1.21) were vetted by the CED team before posting.

Can we please restore the version I changed, so the organization's information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible? We realize our team has not updated this page in many years; this is our major overhaul to ensure everything matches with our current content and branding.

CommunicationsTCB (talk) 14:03, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

you need to first explain your plans on this talk page and then proceed in small steps. Wikipedia editors are VERY suspicious of anyone's public relations officials making edits--there is (in general) a serious question of objectivity and covering up controversies. (This discussion belings on the CED talk page. Rjensen (talk) 18:51, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

COI tag (January 2022)

Literally the entire article is sourced to the organization's website valereee (talk) 13:06, 30 January 2022 (UTC)

Indef semi

Probable UPE by IPs. valereee (talk) 13:14, 30 January 2022 (UTC)

Better sources needed

@Mch115, literally every citation is to the organization's own website. We don't like to use what an entity says about itself except for very noncontroversial details, and even if they're noncontroversial, we don't necessarily consider them worth including. What Wikipedia does is report what reliable sources are saying about the organization. What we need are instances of significant coverage in reliable sources that are not affiliated with the organization (which means we don't use republished press releases either.)

As the communications manager for the organization you would be in a better position to know what press the organization has received. We don't care how old they are, so feel free to go back through the physical clippings from the 1940s on, or if there've been mentions in books? valereee (talk) 13:25, 30 January 2022 (UTC)

Possible sources

Here's one: "American business leaders are not new to this challenge. A prime historical example occurred in 1942, when America’s leading CEOs took on the challenge of creating a rules-based, post war economic order to ensure peace and prosperity. They formed the Committee for Economic Development (CED), and they have been referred to “as the capitalists who cared enough about the system to save it.” Their efforts to provide non-partisan public policy solutions helped give the United States and the world the Marshall Plan, the Bretton Woods Agreement and the Employment Act of 1946, which created the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and established the Joint Economic Committee." It's not actually significant coverage, but the fact the organization's beginnings 80 years ago is being discussed w/re current events, it's a plausible claim to notability. So I'll go ahead and start the rewrite. valereee (talk) 13:55, 30 January 2022 (UTC)

Fortune give a similar amount of coverage.

And finally: A book-length treatment. Amazingly, my library has it, although WorldCat doesn't seem to realize it. valereee (talk) 17:30, 30 January 2022 (UTC)

References

Some proposed changes

Hello, I have a series of changes I'd like to request for the Committee for Economic Development page. These are in response to the rewrite/need for better sources flagged by user:Valereee.

Proposed new introduction paragraph:

The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is an American nonprofit and nonpartisan public policy think tank. It is supported by Trustees, who are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies.

CED’s work is based on the core principle of sustaining capitalism and ensuring that it provides equal opportunity for all Americans to share in prosperity. CED lends its voice and expertise to help shape economic policies and initiatives that include efficient fiscal and regulatory policy, competitive and open markets, leading technology & innovation, modernized infrastructure, an upskilled and well-trained workforce, accessible healthcare, education reform; sustaining our democratic institutions and supporting women in corporate leadership.

Since its inception in 1942, CED has addressed national priorities to promote sustained economic growth and development to benefit all Americans. CED’s work in those first few years led to policy accomplishments including the Marshall Plan, the economic development program that helped rebuild Europe and maintain the peace; the Bretton Woods Agreement that established the new global financial system, and both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Reason for change: This language provides additional context to what the organization is, how it was founded, and who is involved.

Proposed new language for "History" section:

CED was founded in 1942 by a group of business leaders led by Paul G. Hoffman, president of Studebaker Corporation; William Benton, co-founder of Benton & Bowles advertising firm; and Marion B. Folsom, treasurer of Eastman Kodak Company. CED was first formed to help the U.S. economy transition from a wartime to peacetime economy. At the end of World War II, CED successfully worked to garner support among the American business community for the Marshall Plan.

Since its inception, CED has aimed to promote policies that its Trustees believe will foster economic growth and development and ensure that capitalism provides equal opportunity for all Americans to share in its benefit now and for generations to come.

In January 2015, the Committee for Economic Development merged with The Conference Board as its public policy center.

Reason for change: The above changes add citations and more detailed context to CED's history and contributions to the global economy.

Proposed change: Add the below paragraph to the "Work" section, following the two paragraphs that are already on the page:

CED conducts policy research and provides insights and solutions in the following issue areas: fiscal health, education (including early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary), health care, trade/economic globalization, smart regulation, women in corporate leadership, infrastructure, technology & innovation, workforce, climate, energy and the environment, and sustaining democratic institutions, among other timely business and economic issues. CED aims to encourage American business leaders to take a more expansive view of their responsibilities by practicing corporate citizenship and business stewardship — recognizing that business leaders can promote societal health by developing insights and solutions for the common good on timely public policy issues.

Reason for change: The text currently in the "Work" section does a great job at outlining past work and current research areas and opportunities. By adding this paragraph (and links to research done in many of these areas) it gives a better picture of the many different topics and themes that CED is working at any time.

Proposed change: Replace "Stated Aims" section with "Principles":

The organization's work is based on the core principles of: sustainable capitalism, promote sustained economic growth, and development to benefit all Americans.

Reason for change: This broadens the organization's aims to encompass long-term goals, not just short-term aims in 2022 (though they are very similar).

Mch115 (talk) 21:02, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

Hi, @Mch115! You'll make life much easier for our volunteer editors (and therefore make them much more likely to want to help) if you open a section at a time for each specific proposed change, then provide the request in this format:

1. Current language
2. Proposed language
3. Source(s) supporting the change. valereee (talk) 21:44, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

Oh, and FWIW, I'm currently throwing all my time and energy into a research project I've travelled to accomplish, so I may be slow to respond just now. Other editors are around, though, and may be willing to help. valereee (talk) 21:48, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

Thanks, @User:Valereee. I'll open up specific sections and my proposed changes per your recommendations. Mch115 (talk) 21:48, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

References

Proposed changes: Opening paragraphs

Changes to introductory paragraphs:

Current language: The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is an American nonprofit and nonpartisan public policy think tank. The board of trustees consist primarily of senior corporate executives from a range of U.S. industries and sectors. The organization has been credited with helping to create the Marshall Plan.

Proposed new language:

The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is an American nonprofit and nonpartisan public policy think tank. It is supported by Trustees, who are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies.

CED’s work is based on the core principle of sustaining capitalism and ensuring that it provides equal opportunity for all Americans to share in prosperity. CED lends its voice and expertise to help shape economic policies and initiatives that include efficient fiscal and regulatory policy, competitive and open markets, leading technology & innovation, modernized infrastructure, an upskilled and well-trained workforce, accessible healthcare, education reform; sustaining our democratic institutions and supporting women in corporate leadership.

Since its inception in 1942, CED has addressed national priorities to promote sustained economic growth and development to benefit all Americans. CED’s work in those first few years led to policy accomplishments including the Marshall Plan, the economic development program that helped rebuild Europe and maintain the peace; the Bretton Woods Agreement that established the new global financial system, and both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Reason for change: This language provides additional context to what the organization is, how it was founded, and who is involved.

Sources supporting the change: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_End_of_Loyalty/N0q1DQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2022/02/15/the_2022_policy_agenda_restore_fiscal_and_public_health_816763.html https://www.worldcat.org/title/business-comes-of-age/oclc/911692573&referer=brief_results https://www.nytimes.com/1945/03/25/archives/the-ced-on-bretton-woods.html https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/559171602747119114/World-Bank-Group-Archives-Folder-1849647.pdf?redirect=no

Mch115 (talk) 21:56, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

@Mch115, I'm sorry if this seems to move the goalposts. What this edit request asks me to do is read two books, a couple of articles, and a report, and to search within them to find the supporting content. Make it easy on me. Tell me 1. what the source actually says that supports these changes and 2. what page I can find it on in that source.

And honestly just on a read of the content, without having read the sources, that's way too much fluff. It sounds like what should be on the organization's website or LinkedIn. Language like "lends its voice and expertise" and "to benefit all Americans" are considered peacockery.

I know this is difficult for paid editors who are just trying to do their jobs. It's not easy for those whose job it is to promote the organization and its reputation. valereee (talk) 12:07, 19 February 2022 (UTC)

References

Proposed Changes: History Section

Changes to History section:

Current language: According to Fortune the organization "originated in the Commerce Department" in 1942 and was created to encourage collaborative research among business leaders, economists, and New Deal politicians "to promote free enterprise and full employment, paying particular attention to the needs of small business".[1]

The first business leaders on board were Paul G. Hoffman, president of Studebaker Corporation; William Benton, co-founder of Benton & Bowles advertising firm; and Marion B. Folsom, treasurer of Eastman Kodak Company.[citation needed] CED was first formed to help the U.S. economy transition from a wartime to peacetime economy.[2] At the end of World War II, CED worked to garner support among the American business community for the Marshall Plan.[2][3]

In January 2015, the Committee for Economic Development merged with The Conference Board.[4][better source needed] Both are non-partisan, non-lobbying, and have trustees drawn mainly from the business community.[citation needed]

Proposed new language: CED was founded in 1942 by a group of business leaders led by Paul G. Hoffman, president of Studebaker Corporation; William Benton, co-founder of Benton & Bowles advertising firm; and Marion B. Folsom, treasurer of Eastman Kodak Company. CED was first formed to help the U.S. economy transition from a wartime to peacetime economy. At the end of World War II, CED successfully worked to garner support among the American business community for the Marshall Plan.

Since its inception, CED has aimed to promote policies that its Trustees believe will foster economic growth and development and ensure that capitalism provides equal opportunity for all Americans to share in its benefit now and for generations to come.

In January 2015, the Committee for Economic Development merged with The Conference Board as its public policy center.

Reason for change: The above changes add citations and more detailed context to CED's history and contributions to the global economy.

Sources supporting change: https://www.worldcat.org/title/business-comes-of-age-the-story-of-the-committee-for-economic-development-and-its-impact-upon-the-economic-policies-of-the-united-states/oclc/643521412?referer=di&ht=edition https://afsa.org/helping-europe-help-itself-marshall-plan https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/479179-capitalism-must-meet-the-challenge-prosperity-for-all-americans https://businessfacilities.com/2015/01/the-conference-board-and-committee-for-economic-development-to-merge/

Mch115 (talk) 22:00, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

Okay, for this one:

1. Again you're pointing me at multiple sources, some quite lengthy. Make it easy for me: page numbers and exact quotes of what the source says.
2. Why are we deleting the first para? That appears to be well-sourced.
3. No objection to most of the changes in wording for the (originally second) para, except for the "successfully" as that seems like puffery. I'd rather insert language that they 'were credited for helping create' with source. Ditto language like "ensure that capitalism provides equal opportunity for all Americans to share in its benefit now and for generations to come". That can only be used with attribution, it's puffery, and if the only people who are saying it are the org itself (or sources quoting the org), then it doesn't belong in this section but in Stated aims. And I think that's already in Stated aims, so probably doesn't need to be here too? valereee (talk) 17:49, 20 February 2022 (UTC)

References

Proposed Changes: "Work" section

: Changes to "Work" section:

Current language:

The CED has been credited with helping to create the Bretton Woods Agreement, the Employment Act of 1946 (and therefore the Council of Economic Advisers and the Joint Economic Committee) and the Marshall Plan.[1][2]

Since its inception, CED has promoted policies that its trustees believe will foster American economic growth and development and indirectly benefit the country and people. The organization conducts research and outreach efforts in the U.S. and abroad to change policy at all levels of government. More recently CED has also advocated to increase access to pre-kindergarten and college, for campaign finance reform nationally, for more women in corporate leadership, and for reduced government spending.[3][better source needed]

Proposed language: (Keep first two paragraphs, but add a third) CED has been credited with helping to create the Bretton Woods Agreement, the Employment Act of 1946 (and therefore the Council of Economic Advisers and the Joint Economic Committee) and the Marshall Plan.

Since its inception, CED has promoted policies that its trustees believe will foster American economic growth and development and indirectly benefit the country and people. The organization conducts research and outreach efforts in the U.S. and abroad to change policy at all levels of government. More recently CED has also advocated to increase access to pre-kindergarten and college, for campaign finance reform nationally, for more women in corporate leadership, and for reduced government spending.

CED conducts policy research and provides insights and solutions in the following issue areas: fiscal health, education (including early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary), health care, trade/economic globalization, smart regulation, women in corporate leadership, infrastructure, technology & innovation, workforce, climate, energy and the environment, and sustaining democratic institutions, among other timely business and economic issues. CED aims to encourage American business leaders to take a more expansive view of their responsibilities by practicing corporate citizenship and business stewardship — recognizing that business leaders can promote societal health by developing insights and solutions for the common good on timely public policy issues.

Reason for change: The text currently in the "Work" section does a great job at outlining past work and current research areas and opportunities. By adding this paragraph (and links to research done in many of these areas) it gives a better picture of the many different topics and themes that CED is working at any time.

Sources supporting the change: https://fortune.com/2019/05/30/capitalism-democratic-socialists/ https://www.pgpf.org/americas-fiscal-and-economic-outlook/debt-matters https://www.marketplace.org/2021/04/26/bidens-new-plan-would-invest-heavily-children-families/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ced-recognized-prestigious-think-tank-163900935.html https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/Documents/CED_WomenAdvancementonCorporateBoards.pdf https://fortune.com/2021/03/03/us-infrastructure-reform-texas-power-grid/ https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/What-The-Future-Education.pdf https://insidesources.com/stop-the-gerrymander/ https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/report-restoring-america-s-public-and-fiscal-health-depend-on-policymakers-achieving-bipartisan-solutions-1031113448

Mch115 (talk) 22:08, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

References

Proposed Change: Replace "Stated Aims" section with "Principles"

Replace "Stated Aims" section with a section titled "Principles"

Current language: As of 2022 CED's stated aims are to sustain and promote free enterprise, improve education and healthcare, reform campaign finance, enhance corporate governance, and improve the fiscal health of the United States.[3][better source needed]

Proposed language: The organization's work is based on the core principles of: sustainable capitalism, promote sustained economic growth, and development to benefit all Americans.

Reason for change: This broadens the organization's aims to encompass long-term goals, not just short-term aims in 2022 (though they are very similar).

Sources supporting the change: https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/479179-capitalism-must-meet-the-challenge-prosperity-for-all-americans

Mch115 (talk) 22:11, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

@Mch115, it's a no on Stated aims > Principles for me. That's again what belongs on their LinkedIn or website. And since that's a single short source I can easily access, I skimmed it and do not see where in that source there is language that supports "The organization's work is based on the core principles of: sustainable capitalism, promote sustained economic growth, and development to benefit all Americans". What are you seeing? valereee (talk) 12:14, 19 February 2022 (UTC)

References