The puzzle of modern economics : science or ideology / Roger E. Backhouse.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Backhouse, Roger, 1951- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economics--History--20th century.

Economics.

Economic policy--History--20th century.

Economic policy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (205 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Does economics hold the key to everything or does the recent financial crisis show that it has failed? This book provides an assessment of modern economics that cuts through the confusion and controversy on this question. Case studies of the creation of new markets, the Russian transition to capitalism, globalization, and money and finance establish that economics has been very successful where problems have been well defined and where the world can be changed to fit the theory, but that it has been less successful in tackling bigger problems. The book then offers a historical perspective on how economists have, since the Second World War, tried to make their subject scientific. It explores the evolving relationship between science and ideology and investigates the place of heterodoxy and dissent within the discipline.

Contents:

Introduction

Creating new markets

Creating a market economy

Globalization and welfare

Money and finance

Creating a 'scientific' economics

The quest for rigorous macroeconomics

Science and ideology

Heterodoxy and dissent

Economic science and economic myth.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-20963-3

0-511-84861-7

1-282-72508-4

9786612725081

0-511-78019-2

0-511-78903-3

0-511-78977-7

0-511-78716-2

0-511-78602-6

0-511-78830-4

OCLC:

651601539