Abstract

This book provides a fresh introduction to real economics. Highlighting the complex and changing nature of economic activity, this wide-ranging text employs a pragmatic mix of old and new methods to examine the role of values and theoretical beliefs in economic life and in economists’ understanding of it.

It attends to the problems which have come with high productivity, rapidly changing technology and skills, changing proportions of earning and non-earning years in most people’s lives, and a faltering revolution in childhood and parenting which has brought stress and over-work for many women.

It addresses such issues as rising poverty, inequality, insecurity and the slow progress of environmental reform. In focusing on such abuses of affluence the text draws on institutional, Keynesian, green and feminist theories, while emphasising all approaches to understanding economic life.
'Extremely well-written ... blends a basic grounding in theory with well-judged and genuinely interesting case studies. The text, unlike many others in the field, is actually readable and enjoyable and should attract students rather than repel them as so many do'
Derek Braddon, University of the West of England
'Exactly what is needed for the thoughtful and concerned student. It introduces the reader to the many different skills required in economics: analysis, a knowledge of history and institutions, philosophical concepts, quantitative precision, judgement, relevance and a sense of time and place.'
G.C. Harcourt, Cambridge University