
- 135 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
There is controversy among economists over just what it is that economists should do. The controversy is centered on the question whether what is called "neoclassical" or "mainstream" economics provides the appropriate template for performing economic analysis. Neoclassical economics is based on the principle that economic behavior is guided by "rational choice, " i.e., choice based on reason rather than sentiment.
Challenges to this principle come from several fields of study: behavioral economics, neuroeconomics, Austrian economics, Keynesian economics, and others. A common thread running through these fields is that the rational choice assumption is unrealistic and therefore not useful for analyzing economic policy choices.
It is important, however, to distinguish between economic policy choices, which are frequently irrational, and how individuals are observed to react to these choices. Examples of irrational policy choices are minimum wage laws, buy-American rules, and corporate tax increases. The job of the economist is to play a role akin to that of preachers, in exposing such choices for their irrationality. Mainstream economics shows that people react to these choices in a manner that impairs the performance of the economy.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-Title Page
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Description
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Preaching Economics
- Chapter 3 Where Economics Stands Today
- Chapter 4 Neoclassical Economics and Its Critics
- Chapter 5 The Irrelevance of Economic Assumptions
- Chapter 6 Ideology
- Chapter 7 Economics and Cognitive Science
- Chapter 8 What Economists Should Do
- References
- About the Author
- Index