
The Ideas That Rule Us
How to Understand, Organise and Fight Against Bad Economics
- 200 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
It may seem surprising that the economic choices we make in society are often determined by ideas rather than scientific evidence or financial resources. The consequences of such choices are often stark – such as the austerity policies which eroded our ability to withstand crises like the Covid 19 pandemic. This book explores the ideas that rule how our economy works, how government operates and how workers organise.
A small number of historical economic ideas remain stubbornly prevalent and powerful today. However, they are largely based on questionable assumptions about human behaviour and unproven theoretical ideas about economics. They were founded within the realms of philosophy and politics rather than hard science. This book illustrates how politicians have selectively borrowed convenient economic concepts in order to promote and defend policies which entrench and escalate inequalities and other structural problems.
This accessible book invites readers to question the ideas that rule us and explore the challenges facing society. It invites progressive thought about how we need to urgently organise action for the future.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Endorsements
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Just Deserts
- 3. Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays
- 4. Unemployment
- 5. The General Theory
- 6. You’ve Never Had it so Good: Social Democracy in Post-War Britain
- 7. Serfdom, Capitalism, and Freedom
- 8. Imperialism for Free Trade
- 9. No Such Thing as Society
- 10. Things Can Only Get Better
- 11. The Keynesian Foxhole
- 12. Austerity and the Nation’s Credit Card
- 13. ‘Why Did No One See it Coming?’
- 14. Economics Overreach
- Bibliography
- Index