Publisher Description

This volume contains a spirited debate among eminent journalists, economists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. The interchange among the writers provides both the lay reader and the interested professional with fascinating insights into what happens behind the scenes in academia, publishing, and journalism. The first two sections of the book discuss the flow of ideas from economist to economist and from economists to the general public. The third part examines the use and abuse of economic ideas in policy formation, and the final section provides insights into the funding of ideas and the incentives to make economics more relevant.

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.

Review

"Overall, the book is stimulating and worth reading...the editors deserve credit for stimulating a lively debate about current and future directions of the profession." Robert I. Lerman, Journal of Economic Literature

Promotional

This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas.

Review Quote

"Overall, the book is stimulating and worth reading....the editors deserve credit for stimulating a lively debate about current and future directions of the profession." Robert I. Lerman, Journal of Economic Literature

Promotional "Headline"

This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas.

Description for Bookstore

This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. 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.

Description for Library

This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. 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.

Details