RAND Alumnus Serves as Distinguished Visitor

Renowned economist and RAND alumnus Alain Enthoven was in residence at the Pardee RAND Graduate School in early March. As a distinguished visiting professor, he spent a week at the graduate school meeting with students and participating in a variety of events. He gave a dynamic lecture to students, faculty, and RAND staff on the practice of systems analysis and design. In his talk, he described his experiences working on system design in two important policy areas—national defense and health—including the methods for systems analysis and policy design.

Enthoven, who has published widely on defense and health policy issues, is the Marriner S. Eccles Professor of Public and Private Management, emeritus, at Stanford University. He was a leader in establishing systems analysis in the Department of Defense. After serving as a RAND summer associate in 1955, he began at RAND in 1956 and participated in continuing studies on U.S. and NATO defense strategies. In 1960, he moved to the Department of Defense, where he held several positions leading to appointment, by President Johnson, to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis in 1965. His work there is described in How Much Is Enough? published by RAND. He has focused on analysis of the U.S. health system and development of reform strategies since the 1970s, and his work has had significant influence on the evolution of the American health system. In 2008, he was awarded an honorary degree by Pardee RAND.

Enthoven is one of four distinguished thinkers and scholars in residence at Pardee RAND during the winter quarter.

Alain Enthoven lecturing during his tenure as distinguished visiting professor at Pardee RAND Graduate School.