This collection of original essays explores the myriad expressions of austerity since the 2008 financial crisis. Case studies drawn from Canada, Australia and the European Union provide extensive comparative analysis of fiscal consolidation and the varied political responses against austerity. Contributions examine such themes as privatization, class mobilization and resistance, the crisis of liberal democracy and the rise of the far right. The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in shaping future austerity and alternatives is signalled. Given the rapidly shifting terrain, this comprehensive handbook provides important insights into a complex and fast-changing period of politics and policy.

This book provides an interesting and refreshing collection of economic research conducted in the broadly heterodox tradition. A variety of topical issues are addressed, including labor market inequalities, welfare reform, interest rate policies, international trade, and global financial instability. What unites these diverse essays is their common perspective that social institutions and structures "matter" to the performance of economies, and hence should receive more attention from economists. Conventional economic thought focuses unduly on the functioning of so-called "free-markets." The persistent influence of social structures, institutions and practices - and the unequal extent to which differing social constituencies are able to exert power through those structures - often receives short shrift in this traditional research. However, this volume makes a significant contribution by helping to reverse this trend. The chapters, all written by top economists from around North America, address a range of topical issues, utilizing a rich variety of methodological techniques from empirical investigations to game theory and opinion surveys. Furthermore, the book, which is dedicated to the memory of David M. Gordon, has as its unifying theme the incorporation of structural analysis into economic science - an important goal for academics and students alike.

This book provides an interesting and refreshing collection of economic research conducted in the broadly heterodox tradition. A variety of topical issues are addressed, including labor market inequalities, welfare reform, interest rate policies, international trade, and global financial instability. What unites these diverse essays is their common perspective that social institutions and structures "matter" to the performance of economies, and hence should receive more attention from economists. Conventional economic thought focuses unduly on the functioning of so-called "free-markets." The persistent influence of social structures, institutions and practices - and the unequal extent to which differing social constituencies are able to exert power through those structures - often receives short shrift in this traditional research. However, this volume makes a significant contribution by helping to reverse this trend. The chapters, all written by top economists from around North America, address a range of topical issues, utilizing a rich variety of methodological techniques from empirical investigations to game theory and opinion surveys. Furthermore, the book, which is dedicated to the memory of David M. Gordon, has as its unifying theme the incorporation of structural analysis into economic science - an important goal for academics and students alike.

Economics is too important to be left to the economists. This book provides the information you need to understand how capitalism works (and how it doesn't). Through clear bite-sized chapters interspersed with illuminating illustrations, this is an antidote to the abstract and ideological way that economics is normally taught and reported on in in media. Key concepts such as finance, competition and wages are explored, and their importance to everyday life is revealed. It answers questions such as 'Do workers need capitalists?', 'Why does capitalism harm the environment?', and 'What really happens on the stock market?'. The book is supported with a comprehensive set of web-based course materials including videos for popular economics courses.