How to Argue with an Economist
Reopening Political Debate in Australia
2nd Edition
Published on 14. May 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-521-69943-3 (ISBN)
Description
This fascinating book reflects on how economics has become central to our lives, and how the 'economic rationalist' perspective has become the lens through which all matters in Australian public life are viewed. It explains how this economic worldview systematically overlooks important social issues and how it transforms Australian culture. How to Argue with an Economist invites a broad general audience into debates that were once reserved for experts. Lindy Edwards, a former economic adviser in the Prime Minister's Department, has a talent for expressing concepts simply. She distils economics' key ideas into a lively and enjoyable read, explaining how economists think and then how you can argue with them.
Reviews / Votes
'This excellent book deserves to be widely read ... it sympathetically and seriously engages both economists and their critics ... combines passionate argument with generosity and fairmindedness.' Paul Oslington, UNSWMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
269 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-69943-3 (9780521699433)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2007
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€38.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
06/2002
Cambridge University Press
€64.38
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Lindy Edwards is a former economic adviser in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, a Press Gallery Journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Senior Economic Advisor to the then Leader of the Australian Democrats Natasha Stott Despoja.
Content
Part I. A Historical Juncture: 1. A political impasse; 2. A nation-defining choice; 3. Economic rationalism's grip on power; Part II. Getting a Handle on Economics: 4. Is economics a science?; 5. Key ideas in economics; Part III. Revealing Economic Rationalism's Worldview: 6. 'Punters' versus 'economic rationalists'; 7. Contrasting views of human nature; 8. Contrasting views of how society works; 9. Contrasting views of the ideal society; 10. Economic policy and culture; Part IV. Arguing with an Economic Rationalist: 11. How to argue with an economic rationalist; 12. Reclaiming responsibility; 13. Arguing about economic efficiency; 14. Arguing about quality of life; 15. Arguing about justice; Part V. The Future: 16. The way forward; 17. Making sure 'she'll be right'.