The Economist's View of the World - Hardcover

Rhoads, Steven E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521301602 ISBN 13: 9780521301602

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1985

Synopsis

This book explains and assesses the ways in which micro, welfare and benefit-cost economists view the world of public policy. In general terms, microeconomic concepts and models can be seen to appear regularly in the work of political scientists, sociologists and psychologists. As a consequence, these and related concepts and models have now had sufficient time to influence strongly and to extend the range of policy options available to government departments. The central focus of this book is the 'cross-over' from economic modelling to policy implementation, which remains obscure and uncertain. The author outlines the importance of a wider knowledge of microeconomics for improving the effects and orientation of public policy. He also provides a critique of some basic economic assumptions, notably the 'consumer sovereignty principle'. Within this context the reader is in a better position to understand the 'marvellous insights and troubling blindnesses' of economists where often what is controversial politically is not so controversial among economists.

About this title

Review

"Steven Rhoads draws from a wide range of sources to survey the views of mainstream economists on how the world works...a wide-ranging and cogent exposition of the state of economics and its relationship to public policy...the author is objective, making his book thought-provoking for both expert and non-expert alike." Cato Policy Report |x x "This is a wise and judicious book. Steven Rhoads is a political scientist who has profited a great deal from learning some economics and seeing how economists apply micro theory to substantive public policy issues." Journal of Economic Literature |x x "Definitely a book that a person who tries seriously to undertake multidisciplinary work between economics and political science ought to confront, for it usefully indicates the many ways one can display narrowness or overlook important causal forces in such endeavors." Roger C. Noll, American Political Science Review

Book Description

This book explains and assesses the ways in which micro, welfare and benefit-cost economists view the world of public policy. The central focus of this book is the 'cross-over' from economic modelling to policy implementation. The author outlines the importance of a wider knowledge of microeconomics for improving the effects and orientation of public policy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521301602
• ISBN 13: 9780521301602
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336