Economics Confronts the Economy is a challenging and unorthodox look at contemporary economic analysis. Philip Klein presents a highly reasoned and yet personal view of the state of economics today. While his views may be contentious to some, it is an accessible book that will provoke discussion and debate to a wide readership. Professor Klein begins with the assumption that the basic function of economic theory is to provide a sound guide for public policy in assisting society in defining what it means by 'economic progress'. In the words of Thorstein Veblen it involves economic activity as explicit steps to be taken at any given time to enable the economy to play its most effective role in 'enhancing human life'. The book argues that modern mainstream economics is failing in this task in terms of what it teaches young economists, what it contributes to public policy debates and what it has done to the field of economics. This book will have a wide audience throughout the many and varied fields of economics including heterodox economics, micro- and macroeconomics, history of economic thought and economic policy.

What is the role of economic theory? Is there any common ground among economists of different schools concerning the role or roles to be played by theory? These were the basic questions in my mind when I undertook to edit a book on the subject. I thought it might prove insightful to exam ine the views of distinguished economists of very different persuasions and perspectives on the discipline in general. Accordingly, I invited economists from many of the major schools or groups in contemporary economics to contribute essays. Some were uninterested; some were too busy; but many were more than willing to participate in the exercise. The results make up this book. I knew (or thought I knew) what economists who believe in interven tionist policy were going to say, but I was unsure what other economists would say. I found the diversity in the replies, as well as some unexpected agreement, to be thOUght-provoking. I learned from all the participants. I wish to thank Warren Samuels, who originally invited me to edit a book in his series for Kluwer, and Marc Tool, who gave much needed advice and counsel along the way. They both have my thanks for their assistance to me. I thank my colleague, Michael Baye, for his help."

This text provides an ethnography of a Chinese middle school based on fieldwork conducted in 1988 to 1989. It provides a way of looking at classroom and societal interactions in terms of the interplay among criticism, face and shame.

This text provides an ethnography of a Chinese middle school based on fieldwork conducted in 1988 to 1989. It provides a way of looking at classroom and societal interactions in terms of the interplay among criticism, face and shame.

What is the role of economic theory? Is there any common ground among economists of different schools concerning the role or roles to be played by theory? These were the basic questions in my mind when I undertook to edit a book on the subject. I thought it might prove insightful to exam ine the views of distinguished economists of very different persuasions and perspectives on the discipline in general. Accordingly, I invited economists from many of the major schools or groups in contemporary economics to contribute essays. Some were uninterested; some were too busy; but many were more than willing to participate in the exercise. The results make up this book. I knew (or thought I knew) what economists who believe in interven tionist policy were going to say, but I was unsure what other economists would say. I found the diversity in the replies, as well as some unexpected agreement, to be thOUght-provoking. I learned from all the participants. I wish to thank Warren Samuels, who originally invited me to edit a book in his series for Kluwer, and Marc Tool, who gave much needed advice and counsel along the way. They both have my thanks for their assistance to me. I thank my colleague, Michael Baye, for his help."

Written by economists influenced by Moore's analysis of business cycles, this collection of 17 essays explores the usefulness of cyclical indicators in economic forecasting and their application to theoretical and policy problems. Topics include the accuracy of macroeconomic forecasts, a reassessmen