The use of measures of economic output to guide policymaking has been criticized for decades because of their weak ties to human well-being. Recently, many scholars and politicians have called for measures of happiness or subjective well-being to be used to guide policy in people's true interests. In The Illusion of Well-Being, Mark D. White explains why using happiness as a tool for policymaking is misguided and unethical. Happiness is too vague a term to define, and too general a concept, to measure in a way that captures people's true feelings. He extends this critique to well-being in general and concludes that no measure of well-being can do justice to people's true interests, which are complex, multifaceted, and subjective. White suggests instead that policymaking be conducted according to respect and responsiveness, promoting the true interests of citizens while addressing their real needs, and devoting government resources to where they can do the most good.

Given the increase in large scale mergers throughout the world, this book addresses the growing problem of restricted competition through collusion and the perennial debate surrounding the use of government subsidies for industries to further national interests. The aims of the book are threefold; firstly, to elucidate the antecedents of competition policy in the US and Europe and to demonstrate how far a convergence of principles has developed. Secondly, to outline the theory of industrial organisation as a major tool to devise an appropriate policy, and thirdly, to discuss the practice of competition policy in the US, individual European countries and the EC as a whole, in terms of collusion, mergers and vertical restraints. Manfred Neumann comprehensively explores the economic arguments that justify the need for competition policy. He considers the historical development of competition policy and the relationship between competition policy and the objectives of governmental policy as a whole. In conclusion, he argues that competition policy should be regarded as a constituent part of economic and social policy. This enlightening and comprehensive book will be of great value to students, researchers and practitioners of law, corporate strategy and industrial and political economics.

At both a micro-information level and a macro-societal level, the concepts of "knowledge" and "wisdom" are complementary - in both decisions and in social structures and institutions. At the decision level, knowledge is concerned with how to make a proper choice of means, where "best" is measured as the efficiency toward achieving an end. Wisdom is concerned with how to make a proper choice of ends that attain "best" values.

At a societal level, knowledge is managed through science/technology and innovation. And while science/technology is society's way to create new means with high efficiencies, they reveal nothing about values. Technology can be used for good or for evil, to make the world into a garden or to destroy all life. It is societal wisdom which should influence the choice of proper ends -- ends to make the world a garden.

How can society make progress in wisdom as well as knowledge? Historically, the disciplines of the physical sciences and biology have provided scientific foundations for societal knowledge But the social science disciplines of sociology, economics, political science have not provided a similar scientific foundation for societal wisdom. To redress this gap, Frederick Betz examines several cases in recent history that display a fundamental paradox between scientific/technological achievement with devastating social effects (i.e., historical events of ideological dictatorships in Russia, Germany, China, and Yugoslavia). He builds a new framework for applying social science perspectives to explain societal histories and social theory. Emerging from this methodological and empirical investigation is a general topological theory of societal dynamics. This theory and methodology can be used to integrate history and social science toward establishing grounded principles of societal wisdom. "

For an increasing number of international scholars and researchers, the work of Karl Polanyi -- for example, The Great Transformation (1944) -- has been a source of inspiration in assessing current conditions and building renewed perspectives and methodologies. In detailed analyses of current socio-economic trends from all over the globe, the writers of this collection of essays -- on a variety of themes, given at the Third International Karl Polanyi conference, in Milan -- propose new concepts for economic analysis in the wake of the collapse of "communism".

Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and social scientists interested in a wide-ranging but concise review of contemporary theories of social and economic development will find this second edition invaluable. The coverage spans the disciplines of sociology, psychology, economics, political science, political economy, geography, and management. The theories are organized by level of analysis--individual, organizational, societal, and international--to provide the reader with a larger organizational scheme in which to understand the theoretical explanations and arguments and to emphasize the importance of developing linkages among the different levels. Some of the new topics discussed include: globalization, transnational organizational structures, debt, the transition from socialism to capitalism and human development.

This volume presents a compilation of key papers chronicling the evolution of the economics of information into the economics of knowledge. It traces the unfolding of the fertile ambiguity and ambivalence of the notion of information with the identification and eventual separation of its two basic, quite distinct meanings: knowledge and signals. It documents the progressive understanding that it is not only necessary to search, screen and understand signals, but also to assess and select them so as to distinguish between true, false and fake ones. The capability to process signals and transform them into actual information stems from the stock of competence and knowledge that individuals and organizations possess and mobilize. The success of information economics paves the way to the economics of knowledge and this review will be an indispensable research tool for all those working and studying in the field.

Alfred Marshall and Modern Economics demonstrates that it is possible to take Marshall's theoretical insights in two distinctly different directions: one is to reject evolution and go down the equilibrium path, while the second is to reject equilibrium and go down the evolutionary path. Neil Hart re-examines Marshall's legacy and relevance to modern economic analysis with the more settled conventional wisdom concerning evolutionary processes allowing advances in economic theorising which were not possible in Marshall's life time. A more theoretically coherent and relevant approach to modern economic analysis is proposed by connecting aspects of Marshall's revitalised evolutionary economics with Post-Keynesian theories, in a manner which parallels Marshall's endeavour to maintain a unity between value theory and explanations of industry organisation and economic development. This book will be essential reading for all researchers and students interested in the history of economic thought.

The 1980s have witnessed the mass migration of developing countries and the erstwhile socialist nations to market-based economic systems. The reality is that limited finance has been a formidable barrier to these countries' growth and development. Moreover, they need to rely on their internal sources as external funds are not easily forthcoming. This book identifies four sources of internal finance--tax policies, capital markets, specialized financial institutions (such as development banks), and privatization of the public sector. It examines the conceptual foundations, operating and theoretical issues, as well as strategic considerations relating to these sources.

In Part I, Kumar surveys and synthesizes theories of economic development and growth. He concludes by pointing out that these theories have ignored the importance of financial factors, i.e. markets and institutions. Part II, which relates to the internal sources of development finance, begins by examining tax policies. The author surveys the conceptual foundations of financial intermediation and then examines the role of capital markets and specialized financial institutions. Finally, the privatization of the public sector is seen as a special case of intermediation. The book clearly identifies the interrelationships among the internal sources of finance. Efficient financial intermediation is seen as the key to the growth and development of these nations. Ideal as a required text in courses in development finance and economics, this book is an important resource for consultants, professionals in the field of development, and government officials.

The Austrian school of economics was founded in 1871 with the publication of Carl Menger's Principles of Economics. In his book, Menger argued that economic analysis is universally applicable and that the appropriate unit of analysis is man and his choices. These choices, he wrote, are determined by individual subjective preferences and the margin on which decisions are made. The logic of choice, he believed, is the essential building block to the development of a universally valid economic theory. The home of the field moved first to Britain and then on to the US, and at present a diverse mix of intellectual traditions in economic science is obvious in contemporary Austrian school economists. While one could argue that a unique Austrian school of economics operates within the economic profession today, one could also sensibly argue that the label 'Austrian' no longer possesses any substantive meaning. This Handbook looks through the lens of the latest generation of scholars at the main propositions believed by so-called 'Austrians'. Each contributing author addresses key tenets of the school of thought, and outlines its ongoing contribution to economics and to the social sciences. Contributors: S.A. Beaulier, P.J. Boettke, C.J. Coyne, A.J. Evans, P.T. Leeson, S.C. Miller, B. Powell, F. Sautet, V.H. Storr, E.P. Stringham, J.R. Subrick

This book describes recent trends in growth curve modelling research in various subject areas, both theoretical and applied. It explains and explores the growth curve model as a valuable tool for gaining insights into several research topics of interest to academics and practitioners alike. The book's primary goal is to disseminate applications of the growth curve model to real-world problems, and to address related theoretical issues. The book will be of interest to a broad readership: for applied statisticians, it illustrates the importance of growth curve modelling as applied to actual field data; for more theoretically inclined statisticians, it highlights a number of theoretical issues that warrant further investigation.

This is the first comprehensive presentation of how monetary policymakers can use market prices to produce price stability. Drs. Johnson and Keleher show why other, conventional methods have failed and why market prices are superior guides for setting monetary policy. Their book presents the rationale, history, and philosophy underlying their approach; offers three forms of empirical research evidence to support it; and then presents special methods to use market prices as policy setting guides. Important and challenging reading for monetary policymakers and economists, bankers, financial analysts, and professional investors, as well as their colleagues in the academic community with similar interests.

Substantial changes involving revolutions in telecommunications and information processing, financial deregulation, and the global integration of financial markets have altered the environment in which central banks operate. This altered environment has undermined various conventional approaches to monetary policy. This book presents an alternative market price approach to monetary policy. The approach is easily adapted to the above-cited change: it adopts a price stabilization policy goal and uses key market prices from the commodity, foreign exchange, and bond markets as guides to policy. Commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, and bond yields represent proxies for the exchange rate between domestic money and (1) commodities, (2) foreign monies, and (3) future money (bonds), respectively. These market prices are assessed in conjunction with one another to yield policy guidance to the monetary authority. This book describes how this approach is carried out in practice. Empirical evidence support the approach from three perspectives. First, empirical support exists for each of the individual market price indicators examined in isolation. Second, market price indicators provided accurate signals for monetary policymakers during the post-Bretton Wood era. Had this market price approach been used by policymakers, the performance of the macroeconomy during this period likely would have been improved. Third, at least one historical episode demonstrates that when the approach was employed, economic performance was impressive, and price stability was, in fact, achieved.

In a globalized financial market, the success of an organization in one country is often inextricably linked to the economic viability of an array of other nations and governments. As such, global concerns the simultaneous consideration of global and local aspects of business often take precedence. Global Strategies in Banking and Finance explores the concept of a glocal industry through case studies, emerging research, and interdisciplinary perspectives applicable to a variety of fields in banking and finance. Within these pages, researchers and practitioners will discover tips, strategies, and best practices towards maintaining a competitive advantage and positioning their respective organizations in the global marketplace."

Dennis C. Canterbury s "Capital Accumulation and Migration" explores the subject of capital accumulation and migration, a topic that is remarkably absent in the voluminous literature spawned under neoliberal capitalism by the renewed interest in the development impact of migration. This volume undertakes a critique of this literature and adds a critical dimension to it, while analyzing the financialization of migration processes. A central feature of neoliberal capitalism is the remodeling of the global political economy to facilitate capital accumulation from migration amidst serious fault lines that reflect an antagonistic contradiction in the neoliberal capitalist approach to migration.

Monetary problems are important and widely debated, but the complexity of the international monetary system and the disparate systems that make it up gives rise to many fallacies about the inner workings of these systems. When shared by those who decide economic and monetary policies, these fallacies can have damaging consequences. This book provides a rigorous and approachable analysis of these systems and consequences, providing the keys to untangling and understanding their mechanisms and influence. A clear understanding of the working of monetary systems becomes an indispensable decision-making tool when it comes to pressing questions about reform and issues of global debate such as whether a country should join (or leave) the Eurozone or attempts to cure the so-called 'balance of payments problems'. Starting from basic concepts, Pascal Salin progressively builds upon his analysis of monetary systems in a coherent and easily readable way, drawing on the most reliable theoretical contributions from research and giving examples of lessons that can be drawn from this rigorous examination of topics including devaluations, fixed and flexible exchange rates, monetary integration, monetary crises, monetary policy, and more. His clear, orderly style pares down accumulated details and theories to leave a concise and usable toolkit for analysis and action. This book makes it possible for anyone, starting from scratch, to come to a comprehensive understanding of the working of monetary systems. Students and scholars in economics as well as policy makers and practitioners will find this lucid volume an important resource and reference, as it provides intellectual instruments to evaluate the working of any monetary system.

"Governing Global Finance "examines the evolution of financial globalization and the attempts that have been made at the international level to establish a system of global financial governance (i.e. the international financial architecture) to safeguard the functioning of the international financial system. It explains how the international financial architecture has come to take the form that it has, and why it was unable to prevent the recent global financial crisis. The book considers a number of reforms that have been proposed to minimize the risk of future financial crises, as well as others that need to be implemented.

Most economists will agree that the task of understanding and teaching Veblen is not an easy one. Locating a book for the non-specialist is even harder, and hence the purpose of this book. This pioneering text fully delivers what its title promises - Veblen in Plain English. For the non-specialist and student alike, Professor McCormick illuminates the ideas of Veblen in a manner that is well written and easy to understand. This is a refreshing and most welcome addition to literature on Veblen. The foreword is by Dr. Rick Tilman, another noted expert on Veblen.

This book re-examines and brings to light the libertarian components of Marx's and Engel's political and economic thought. Central to the book is a discussion of the notion of freedom in Marx and Engel's work. In a post-Soviet world, there is a need to revise Marxism in the search for a libertarian foundation of political economy. The book argues that the libertarian foundations were present in Marx's and Engel's work and utilizes contemporary theory's of freedom to re-interpret and analyse their original work.

Most artists earn very little. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of aspiring young artists. Do they give to the arts willingly or unknowingly? Governments and other institutions also give to the arts, to raise the low incomes. But their support is ineffective: subsidies only increase the artists' poverty. The economy of the arts is exceptional. Although the arts operate successfully in the marketplace, their natural affinity is with gift-giving, rather than with commercial exchange. People believe that artists are selflessly dedicated to art, that price does not reflect quality, and that the arts are free. But is it true? This unconventional multidisciplinary analysis explains the exceptional economy of the arts. Insightful illustrations from the practice of a visual artist support the analysis. Read a sample chapter (Pdf.)

"This volume is one of the first books to consider the impact of tripartism across the developing world. It covers 8 case studies from Afrcia, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, focusing on developments since the 1990s. These studies show that tripartism has the effect of reducing the social impact of neo-liberal economics reforms"--Provided by publisher.

The savings and loan crisis and the banking troubles of the 1980s and early 1990s were not primarily due to fraud, deregulation, inadequate supervision, overly exuberant lending, abrupt changes in tax policies or a host of other short-term causes. All of these factors certainly exacerbated and, in some cases triggered, the problems of depository institutions. But the underlying fundamental reason for the thrift crisis and banking troubles, argues banking and financial analyst David S. Holland, was a form of excess capacity that resulted from many decades of protection from the rigors of competition and the marketplace. Dr. Holland shows that the protection was due to geographical and product limitations and a deposit insurance system that became focused on the prevention of failures of individual institutions. By 1980, the depository institutions industry was ripe for a severe culling--a culling that legislators and regulators probably could have done little to avoid, although they might have channeled and controlled it better. How the government, the industry, and the public reacted to the culling is an instructive and fascinating study in human nature for all those concerned with banking policy and regulation.

This fourth volume examines his time in Vienna and Chicago (1931-1950), when Hayek held the prestigious University of London Tooke Professorship of Economic Science and Statistics. Between Vienna and Chicago (1931-1950), although his business cycle work was apparently defeated, this study takes a closer look at Hayek's successes.