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The Spread of Economic Ideas

The Spread of Economic Ideas

The Spread of Economic Ideas

David C. Colander
Alfred William Coats
November 1989
Available
Hardback
9780521362337

    This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. Using many of the same ideas as do the rhetorical and sociological philosophical schools, the contributors to this book discuss the spread of economic ideas in readily understandable English. The examination of the flow of ideas among economists and from economists to the public is followed by a discussion of the public policy use and abuse of these concepts. A final section provides insights into the funding of ideas and the incentives to make economics more relevant. The dialogue among the book's contributors provides both the lay reader and the interested professional with fascinating insights into what happens behind the scenes in academia, publishing, and journalism.

    Product details

    November 1989
    Hardback
    9780521362337
    282 pages
    228 × 152 × 25 mm
    0.55kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • List of tables
    • List of figures
    • Preface
    • 1. An introduction to the spread of economic ideas A. W. Coats and David C. Colander
    • Part I. From Economist to Economist:
    • 2. The state of economics: hopeless but not serious? Robert W. Clower
    • 3. The invisible hand of truth David C. Colander
    • 4. Faith, hope, and clarity Robert M. Solow
    • 5. How ideas spread among economists: examples from international economics Charles P. Kindleberger
    • 6. Journals, university presses, and the spread of ideas Colin Day
    • Part II. From Economists to the Lay Public:
    • 7. How economic ideas turn to mush Robert M. Solow
    • 8. The development of the ideas: strategic trade policy and competitiveness David Warsh
    • 9. Economics and the common reader Donald S. Lamm
    • Part III. From Economist to Policymaker:
    • 10. Economic ideas and economists in government: accomplishments and frustrations A. W. Coats
    • 11. The spread of economic ideas between academia and government: a two-way street William J. Barber
    • 12. The exchange of favors in the market for commitments James K. Galbraith
    • 13. How tax reform came about Joseph J. Minarik
    • Part IV. Funding the Spread of Economic Ideas:
    • 14. Doing good and spreading the gospel (economic) Craufurd D. Goodwin
    • 15. Think tanks and the politics of ideas James A. Smith
    • 16. The role of the NSF in the spread of economic ideas Daniel H. Newlon
    • 17. Money and the spread of ideas David C. Colander
    • 18. Changing incentives to make economics more relevant Gordon Tullock
    • Bibliography
    • Index.
      Contributors
    • A. W. Coats, David C. Colander, Robert W. Clower, Robert M. Solow, Charles P. Kindleberger, Colin Day, David Warsh, Donald S. Lamm, William J. Barber, James K. Galbraith, Joseph J. Minarik, Craufurd D. Goodwin, James A. Smith, Daniel H. Newlon, Gordon Tullock

    • Editors
    • David C. Colander
    • Alfred William Coats