"If Augustin Cournot had still been alive, he could have won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics on at least three different occasions", exclaimed Nobel Laureate Robert Aumann during the 2005 Cournot Centre conference. From his earliest publications, Cournot broke from tradition with his predecessors in applying mathematical modelling to the social sphere. Consequently, he was the first to affirm the mathematization of social phenomena as an essential principle. The fecundity of Cournot's works stems not only from this departure, but also from a richness that irrigated the social sciences of the twentieth century. In this collection, the contributors - including two Nobel laureates in economics - highlight Cournot's profound innovativeness and continued relevance in the areas of industrial economics, mathematical economics, market competition, game theory and epistemology of probability and statistics. Each of the seven authors reminds us of the force and modernity of Cournot's thought as a mathematician, historian of the sciences, philosopher and, not least, as an economist. Combining an epistemological perspective with a theoretical one, this book will be of great interest to researchers and students in the fields of economics, the history of economic thought, and epistemology.

The first book in this important new series, under the general editorship of Nobel Laureate Robert Solow, Institutions, Innovation and Growth assembles a stellar cast of international contributors. Leading economists join the debate on innovation and economic growth, focussing on a broad spectrum of issues ranging from labour markets to corporate governance. Growth paths within the OECD are also assessed, with particular emphasis on contrasts between US and European models. The book seeks to identify those institutional factors, taking into account different national trajectories, which might serve to promote economic growth in Europe. As with all books in this series, Institutions, Innovation and Growth offers cutting edge research that is relevant to the world in which we live. It will be essential reading for scholars, policymakers and interested readers concerned with the economic challenges facing Europe in the twenty-first century.

The number of central banks in the world is approaching 180, a tenfold increase since the beginning of the twentieth century. What lies behind the spread of this economic institution? What underlying process has brought central banks to hold such a key role in economic life today? This book examines from a transatlantic perspective how the central bank has become the bank of banks. Thirteen distinguished economists and central bankers have been brought together to evaluate how central banks work, arrive at their policies, choose their instruments and gauge their success in managing economies, both in times of crisis and periods of growth. Central banks have gained greater independence from government control over the last 20 years. This widespread trend throws up new questions regarding the foundations, prerogatives and future of this economic institution. This book provides a better understanding of the current financial crisis through the in-depth study of the central bank. Researchers in the fields of monetary theory, monetary policy and central banking will find this volume of great interest. It will also appeal to students of economics, political economy, banking and finance, as well as economists, academics, and public policy advisers and analysts.

In this wide-ranging selection of papers, distinguished economists, public policy advisers and political theorists contribute to the debate on public goods. The studies cover topics in the conceptualization, classification and stratification of public goods. Also examined are public institutional design, global economic institutions and partnership typologies. Individual papers address the financing, regulatory, organizational and legal aspects relating to services of general interest in Europe. The dynamics of global public good production, including monopolies, patents, scientific uncertainty and market failures, are discussed. Empirical research on the state, profit and non-profit sectors is presented. Providing numerous examples of specific public goods, the contributions also highlight the impact of macroeconomic policies on provision. The book presents a broad diversity of new approaches to global public goods within the framework of mixed economies, beyond the standard economic analysis of public services. Academics, researchers and policymakers in the area of global public goods and services will find this volume of great interest.

`This book is unique in its broad coverage of the concept of "division of labour". The variety of contributions highlight the shape of the "division of labour", showing that it is not just limited to the old notions of the degree of the division of labour among productive units, along the lines of Adam Smith, or the degree of specialization amongst countries, along the lines of David Ricardo. The authors use different apertures to present a panoramic and detailed view of contemporary analyses, including not only gender, but also assets, sectors and nations. The book edited by Robert Solow and Jean-Philippe Touffut therefore provides a refreshing new vision on one of the oldest concepts popular in economic analyses.' - Luc Soete, Maastricht University and Director of UNU-MERIT, The Netherlands How is work divided up in the household, within an industry, a nation or between continents? What are the dynamics of the division of labour? The wide-ranging contributions to this book explore these questions from technological, capital and political perspectives. They include in-depth studies of gender, the firm, countries' economic specializations, ICTs, foreign direct investment and agriculture. In this book, ten distinguished contributors - economists, scholars and practitioners - take stock of the shape of the division of labour and provide useful policy recommendations. The Shape of the Division of Labour will interest researchers and students of international economics, labour economics, international trade and finance, as well as economists and public policy advisers and analysts.

`This book is unique in its broad coverage of the concept of "division of labour". The variety of contributions highlight the shape of the "division of labour", showing that it is not just limited to the old notions of the degree of the division of labour among productive units, along the lines of Adam Smith, or the degree of specialization amongst countries, along the lines of David Ricardo. The authors use different apertures to present a panoramic and detailed view of contemporary analyses, including not only gender, but also assets, sectors and nations. The book edited by Robert Solow and Jean-Philippe Touffut therefore provides a refreshing new vision on one of the oldest concepts popular in economic analyses.' - Luc Soete, Maastricht University and Director of UNU-MERIT, The Netherlands How is work divided up in the household, within an industry, a nation or between continents? What are the dynamics of the division of labour? The wide-ranging contributions to this book explore these questions from technological, capital and political perspectives. They include in-depth studies of gender, the firm, countries' economic specializations, ICTs, foreign direct investment and agriculture. In this book, ten distinguished contributors - economists, scholars and practitioners - take stock of the shape of the division of labour and provide useful policy recommendations. The Shape of the Division of Labour will interest researchers and students of international economics, labour economics, international trade and finance, as well as economists and public policy advisers and analysts.

How did climate change become an economic issue? Why is economic discourse so influential on the public policy of climate change? How can it best contribute to the scientific and public debates? Nine eminent scholars explain in this book both how economics has changed environmental understanding and how the study of climate change has modified the economy. Changing Climate, Changing Economy will interest researchers and students in a variety of fields including environmental policy economics, ecological economics, public policy and the environment as well as environmental ethics. Climatologists, environmentalists, public policy advisers and analysts will also find this book invaluable.

Do modes of management depend on company ownership? Does macroeconomic performance rely on shareholder value? The contributions collected in this book explore these questions from economic, historical and legal perspectives. They examine company ownership through the study of national institutions, with particular focus on North America and Europe. The twelve economic and legal specialists of this volume seek to explain why firms organized along the shareholder model have not outperformed other forms of ownership. Answers lie in the historical and institutional background of each country. This unique book will appeal to a wide-ranging audience encompassing researchers, students and academics in the fields of corporate governance, company law, finance, and organization theory.

How did climate change become an economic issue? Why is economic discourse so influential on the public policy of climate change? How can it best contribute to the scientific and public debates? Nine eminent scholars explain in this book both how economics has changed environmental understanding and how the study of climate change has modified the economy. Changing Climate, Changing Economy will interest researchers and students in a variety of fields including environmental policy economics, ecological economics, public policy and the environment as well as environmental ethics. Climatologists, environmentalists, public policy advisers and analysts will also find this book invaluable.

"If Augustin Cournot had still been alive, he could have won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics on at least three different occasions", exclaimed Nobel Laureate Robert Aumann during the 2005 Cournot Centre conference. From his earliest publications, Cournot broke from tradition with his predecessors in applying mathematical modelling to the social sphere. Consequently, he was the first to affirm the mathematization of social phenomena as an essential principle. The fecundity of Cournot's works stems not only from this departure, but also from a richness that irrigated the social sciences of the twentieth century. In this collection, the contributors - including two Nobel laureates in economics - highlight Cournot's profound innovativeness and continued relevance in the areas of industrial economics, mathematical economics, market competition, game theory and epistemology of probability and statistics. Each of the seven authors reminds us of the force and modernity of Cournot's thought as a mathematician, historian of the sciences, philosopher and, not least, as an economist. Combining an epistemological perspective with a theoretical one, this book will be of great interest to researchers and students in the fields of economics, the history of economic thought, and epistemology.

In this wide-ranging selection of papers, distinguished economists, public policy advisers and political theorists contribute to the debate on public goods. The studies cover topics in the conceptualization, classification and stratification of public goods. Also examined are public institutional design, global economic institutions and partnership typologies. Individual papers address the financing, regulatory, organizational and legal aspects relating to services of general interest in Europe. The dynamics of global public good production, including monopolies, patents, scientific uncertainty and market failures, are discussed. Empirical research on the state, profit and non-profit sectors is presented. Providing numerous examples of specific public goods, the contributions also highlight the impact of macroeconomic policies on provision. The book presents a broad diversity of new approaches to global public goods within the framework of mixed economies, beyond the standard economic analysis of public services. Academics, researchers and policymakers in the area of global public goods and services will find this volume of great interest.

The first book in this important new series, under the general editorship of Nobel Laureate Robert Solow, Institutions, Innovation and Growth assembles a stellar cast of international contributors. Leading economists join the debate on innovation and economic growth, focussing on a broad spectrum of issues ranging from labour markets to corporate governance. Growth paths within the OECD are also assessed, with particular emphasis on contrasts between US and European models. The book seeks to identify those institutional factors, taking into account different national trajectories, which might serve to promote economic growth in Europe. As with all books in this series, Institutions, Innovation and Growth offers cutting edge research that is relevant to the world in which we live. It will be essential reading for scholars, policymakers and interested readers concerned with the economic challenges facing Europe in the twenty-first century.

Global crises are very rare events. After the Great Depression and the Great Stagflation, new macroeconomic paradigms associated with a new policy regime emerged. This book addresses how some macroeconomic ideas have failed, and examines which theories researchers should preserve and develop. It questions how the field of economics - still reeling from the global financial crisis initiated in the summer of 2007 - will respond.The contributors, nine highly-renowned macroeconomists, highlight the virtues of eclectic macroeconomics over an authoritarian normative approach, and illustrate that macroeconomic reasoning can still be a useful tool for carrying out practical policy analysis. As for emerging research programmes, their wide-ranging chapters remind us that there are positive approaches to and reasons to believe in old-fashioned macroeconomics. This challenging and thought-provoking book will prove a stimulating read for researchers, academics and students of economics, as well as for professional economists. Contributors include: W. Carlin, J.-B. Chatelain, G. Corsetti, P. De Grauwe, G. Dosi, G. Fagiolo, R.J. Gordon, M. Napoletano, X. Ragot, A. Roventini, R.M. Solow, X. Timbeau, J.-P. Touffut, V. Wieland

The number of central banks in the world is approaching 180, a tenfold increase since the beginning of the twentieth century. What lies behind the spread of this economic institution? What underlying process has brought central banks to hold such a key role in economic life today? This book examines from a transatlantic perspective how the central bank has become the bank of banks. Thirteen distinguished economists and central bankers have been brought together to evaluate how central banks work, arrive at their policies, choose their instruments and gauge their success in managing economies, both in times of crisis and periods of growth. Central banks have gained greater independence from government control over the last 20 years. This widespread trend throws up new questions regarding the foundations, prerogatives and future of this economic institution. This book provides a better understanding of the current financial crisis through the in-depth study of the central bank. Researchers in the fields of monetary theory, monetary policy and central banking will find this volume of great interest. It will also appeal to students of economics, political economy, banking and finance, as well as economists, academics, and public policy advisers and analysts.

Global crises are very rare events. After the Great Depression and the Great Stagflation, new macroeconomic paradigms associated with a new policy regime emerged. This book addresses how some macroeconomic ideas have failed, and examines which theories researchers should preserve and develop. It questions how the field of economics - still reeling from the global financial crisis initiated in the summer of 2007 - will respond.The contributors, nine highly-renowned macroeconomists, highlight the virtues of eclectic macroeconomics over an authoritarian normative approach, and illustrate that macroeconomic reasoning can still be a useful tool for carrying out practical policy analysis. As for emerging research programmes, their wide-ranging chapters remind us that there are positive approaches to and reasons to believe in old-fashioned macroeconomics. This challenging and thought-provoking book will prove a stimulating read for researchers, academics and students of economics, as well as for professional economists. Contributors include: W. Carlin, J.-B. Chatelain, G. Corsetti, P. De Grauwe, G. Dosi, G. Fagiolo, R.J. Gordon, M. Napoletano, X. Ragot, A. Roventini, R.M. Solow, X. Timbeau, J.-P. Touffut, V. Wieland

Do modes of management depend on company ownership? Does macroeconomic performance rely on shareholder value? The contributions collected in this book explore these questions from economic, historical and legal perspectives. They examine company ownership through the study of national institutions, with particular focus on North America and Europe. The twelve economic and legal specialists of this volume seek to explain why firms organized along the shareholder model have not outperformed other forms of ownership. Answers lie in the historical and institutional background of each country. This unique book will appeal to a wide-ranging audience encompassing researchers, students and academics in the fields of corporate governance, company law, finance, and organization theory.