Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #829294 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 204 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
When economics and ideology mix, the results often sound plausible, but in fact can be terribly wrong and lead to ill-conceived and sometimes dangerous economic policy. For several years, Paul Krugman, author of The Accidental Theorist and one of the most celebrated economists of the 1990s, has been punching holes in fashionable ideas such as the logic of supply-side economics and the evils of globalisation. The Accidental Theorist is a collection of Krugman's best published and unpublished essays that cover everything from the Asian financial crisis to inflation in America.

Krugman's cause is neither left or right; rather it's the pursuit of clear thinking about economics that's unfettered by ideology. He writes, "But we should never be surprised when prominent people say foolish things about economics. The history of economic doctrines teaches us that the influence of an idea may have nothing to do with its quality--that an ideology can attract a devoted following, even come to control the corridors of power, without a shred of logic or evidence in its favor".

If you've read and enjoyed Krugman's regular column for Slate, "The Dismal Science", or have admired his work in the New York Times, The Washington Monthly, and Foreign Affairs, you'll find that the The Accidental Theorist is a must-read. The essays in this book reflect a clairvoyant and playful mind that is patient enough to unravel and simplify--not dumb down--the arcane and lofty ideas of economics to something that the rest of us can understand. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Frustrated by the ivory tower of academic economics and convinced that economics is far too important to leave people in the dark, Paul Krugman started writing short articles aiming to make the issues accessible for non-specialists and to burst the nonsensical balloons being floated by the left and right alike. This collection brings together a range of articles written between autumn 1995 and summer 1997, and makes them accessible for the European reader who does not have daily access to the publications they originally appeared in - from the on-line magazine "Slate" to the "Washington Monthly". Some have not been published before. The dispatches are grouped together in six parts, and range from the situation in America to global issues, and from economists and their stories to politicians and theirs. Krugman analyzes why the Republican revolution, which seemed unstoppable at the beginning of 1995, ground to a halt within a year. He strutinizes Lionel Jospin's grand employment promises. He looks at the moral implications of fresh vegetables being flown into London from Zimbabwe, and he reflects on the situation in China and the problems in Japan.

Customer Reviews

Economics Written for Non-Economists
As the title suggests, this is a simple read, but dont get discouraged if you have conquered those formulas of Foreign Exchange Markets or studied those depressing Classical Economists, because this book is a fun read.

The book is a collection of columns and articles he has written over the years (not in boring economic journals filled with equations). The book is a fast read, and I recommend it to anyone, no matter the depth of their economic knowledge.

-Student in Scotland

Theorist with the common touch
As someone new to Krugman's writing, I was enthused by his ability to explain complex ideas and economic policy dilemmas with such a sure touch and accessible style.

The mini essays that form the core of this book range widely in scope. From his much used story of the Congress Hill Baby-Sitting Co-op to a candid assessment of the political realities of controlling car congestion and providing health care, Krugman sets out to de-mystify some of the jargon of economics and lambasts supply-side economists in fine style.

Krugman should be read by all aspiring university economic students and I will be recommending this book to my own students for their A Level courses.

Fantastic!!!!!!
This collection of essays is the perfect introduction to economics for any non-specialist. It explains the subject in a way that keeps it fresh, which is so rare. Speaking form the viewpoint of a final year undergrad in the subject, I can certainly say that it has helped me "keep the faith" since it reminds us what the point of our study is, to enlighten rather than to obscure. Simply fantastic!