How to Argue with an Economist: Reopening Political Debate in Australia / Edition 2

by Lindy Edwards

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521699433
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/14/2007
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.39(w) x 8.46(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

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'.

Editorial Reviews

'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, UNSW

From the Publisher