Forecasting: An Appraisal for Policy-Makers and Planners - Paperbackby William L. Ascher (Author) Energy needs . . . oil supplies . . . inflation rates . . . the demand for new homes . . . in concerns like these, forecasting plays a crucial role. Forecasts not only determine how billions of dollars will be spent but also commit national policies far into the future; yet, no one really knows how to judge the reliability of forecasts. In this innovative study, William Ascher examines the records of expert forecasting of