Alternative Ideas from 10 (Almost) Forgotten Economists

How should we address today's big problems, and what we can take from icons of economics past? How would John Maynard Keynes have resolved today's debt problem, or how would Adam Smith have assessed the European carbon emission trading market? This book applies the ideas of ten renowned economists (Marx, Minsky, Keynes, Knight, Bergmann, Veblen, Sen, Myrdal, Smith, Robinson) to real world economic problems, directly or indirectly related to the causes and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis. Each chapter presents an economist, and structures the 'problem', the 'insight' (the economist's idea), the 'economist' (short bio), and two 'practices' offering real-world alternatives. This book presents a lively and original approach that will be of interest to economists and non-economists alike, discussing key elements of an economics for a postcapitalist economy and connecting policy insights to real-world problems of today.

Convey an original presentation of ideas as applicable to contemporary real-world economic issues Rejects classical economics and neoliberal policies Provides a succinct overview of key economic figures and their relevance for a postcapitalist economy

Autorentext

Irene van Staveren is professor of pluralist development economics at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Klappentext

How should we address today s big problems, and what we can take from icons of economics past? How would John Maynard Keynes have resolved today s debt problem, or how would Adam Smith have assessed the European carbon emission trading market? This book applies the ideas of ten renowned economists (Marx, Minsky, Keynes, Knight, Bergmann, Veblen, Sen, Myrdal, Smith, Robinson) to real world economic problems, directly or indirectly related to the causes and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis. Each chapter presents an economist, and structures the problem , the insight (the economist s idea), the economist (short bio), and two practices offering real-world alternatives. This book presents a lively and original approach that will be of interest to economists and non-economists alike, discussing key elements of an economics for a postcapitalist economy and connecting policy insights to real-world problems of today.

Inhalt

1: Karl Marx on Capitalism.- 2: Hyman Minsky on Financial Crises.- 3: John Maynard Keynes on Debt and Demand.- 4: Frank Knight on Risk and Uncertainty.- 5: Barbara Bergmann on Gender Biases.-6: Thorstein veblen on Inequality.- 7: Amartya Sen on Financial Capabilities.- 8: Gunnar Myrdal on Social Vulnerability.- 9: Adam Smith on the Abuse of Markets.- 10: Joan Robinson on Economic Pluralism. <p