Book Description

Comprehensive yet detailed discussion of tax increment financing. ... Read more

Book Description

In a clear, lively and non-technical style, the author explains and assesses the way in which micro, welfare and benefit-cost economists view the world of public policy. The work of these economists has significantly influenced scholarship in political science, law, philosophy, sociology and psychology, and it has led to important changes in government policy concerning the environment, housing and the regulation of industry. The author explains why Democratic and Republican economists so often agree about micro-policy issues and why they are so often at odds with many politicians, consumer advocates and business and union leaders. He argues that even an elementary knowledge of resource economics could help us avoid many current public policy blunders. The book will be of interest to students and teachers of public policy, public administration, business and law and to the educated lay reader. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

For Economists and Noneconomists
Rhoads is an effective promoter of the economic way of thinking. He quotes Kenneth Arrow: "the economist's frequent job is to say 'this or that, not both. You can't do both.'" Perhaps owing to his outsider's perspective as a political scientist, he is able to usefully contrast the economic way of thinking with various alternatives. Whereas engineers concentrate on making equipment safer in order to reduce the number of accidents in the workplace, economists would tax each firm based on the number of accidents in its workplace.
Rhoads understands the economic way of thinking well. On regulations aimed at saving lives, he states: "We must weigh in our own minds, using our own standards, the gains forgone elsewhere when money is spent on such programs." On marginalism: "Many doctors will want to use scarce resources to the point where the marginal utility of further expenditures equals zero ('everything possible for my patients'), not to the point where it equals the opportunity cost." He explains the economist's approach to reducing (not eliminating) pollution through taxes on pollution and licenses to pollute. "With the incentive schemes", the advantage is that "the possibility of increasing profits by reducing pollutants remains as long as any taxes are paid or capital is tied up in the marketable effluent licenses, that is, as long as any pollutant remains." The author's knowledge of the literature on the microeconomics of public policy and his explication of it impress this reader.
Although Rhoads proves to be a clear believer in the benefits of a price system, his philosophy is not free market or libertarian. He justifies subsidies for science and art on grounds that appreciation and fondness for those subjects "are higher, more distinctively human, pleasures, but also harder and less enticing initially." A good sentence that describes Rhoads's perspective and why economists and noneconomists might find the book interesting is this: "I think economists should read more outside of economics, but most people should read more within it."

Sophisticated analysis but lucid reading
This is an excellent book. I first read it while doing graduate work in public administration and then read it again as I worked towards a Ph.D. in political science. For the student of public policy, an understanding of economics is critical to understanding the underlying rationale behind many failed as well a succesful governmental initiatives. Further, for the public servant, it casts light on policy design in one's professional work. This book is helpful in both arenas.

The book clealry describes the traditional justifications for government in a market economy, market failure; but also delves into government failure, and the limitations of democratic processes in shaping rational policy.

The book describes other economic concepts; marginalism, opportunity costs, welfare economics, pareto optimality in such a manner as to make their policy relevance very clear.

Underlying this non-technical and jargon free discussion is a well intended (and on-target) critique of the academic discipline of economics. Juxtaposing early economic thinkers with today's calculus driven analysts, Rhoades sees a dearth of span of vision. Technical expertise has overwhelmed broad understanding and mathematical brilliance has driven out a wide breadth of learning.

This is an great book for the serious reader and a must for graduate students in policy, PA or politics. ... Read more

Book Description

In the wake of business scandals at Enron, Arthur Andersen, Global Crossing, Tyco—the list grows daily—there is an increasing sense among employees, executives, investors, and the public that the “anything goes” culture of the New Economy is over. Today, businesses must act responsibly, transparently, and with integrity.

Using in-depth case studies and examples from over 50 companies that range from Starbucks to Citigroup, General Motors to General Electric, DuPont to Dell, Ira A. Jackson, former director of the Center for Business and Government at Harvard’s Kennedy School, shows the quantifiable and enduring business advantage to “doing the right thing.” Companies that give back to their employees and society—focusing on values and purpose as well as profitability—often gain commpetitive advantage and improve their brand image, consumer loyalty, and employee satisfaction.

Identifying seven principles of making values integral to business processes and practices, PROFITS WITH PRINCIPLES opens the door to a new kind of capitalism, providing a wealth of practical recommendations companies of all sizes can model their own efforts after.

Book Description

A gripping adventure story and an insightful look at why foreign aid so often fails. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A highly informative and unique book
It is not very common to find a World Bank economist who writes with a touch of humor, humility and eloquence, but that is exactly what you will discover in this unique book. The author was a World Bank advisor assigned to the tiny African nation of Equatorial Guinea in the late 1980's, a time when many African nations were beginning to flirt with market reforms and economic liberalization. This book is kind of like a personal diary of the time he spent there. It is written in an easygoing, informal style. He alternates between discussing his job- trying to develop an economic strategy that will enable E. Guinea to qualify for a World Bank loan- and discussing his recreational activities, which range from surfboarding to hanging out with African rock stars. He introduces us to many people- government officials, "experts" from the UN and other international organizations, and ordinary Equatoguineans. He seems to be particularly critical of the so-called "experts," many of whom are in this remote backwater merely because "they couldn't find jobs in their own countries." Many economists and other academics seeking a rigorous, theoretical analysis of African political economy might be frustrated by this informal style, but I think it adds an extra dimension to the story of economic reform in the third world. It helps remind us that these structural adjustment policies thought up in Washington D.C. are implement by real people facing real constraints in recipient countries. Klitgaard does an excellent job of relating the pressures faced by well-intentioned (and some not so well-intentioned) government ministers, as they must deal with corruption, apathetic bureaucrats, nasty military officers, and the poor infrastructure found in every developing country. All in all, this is a great read for anybody interested in the troubles facing third-world countries, for anyone curious about why these countries can't seem to get out of their economic malaise. Although it was written in 1991, it seems just as relevant today as it did when it was written.

Better not to tell what you saw
This was the cheer statement of an old spanish allien in EG: "people in your country is not going to believe you, they'll tell you're crazy man! Surely he knew all the characters of this amazing book. I did too. I've been ther six months after Bobs departure,and spent two years inside this contradictory scenary of beauty and madness; one of my collegues in a UN Project was this fascinating woman CHA-CHA (or what rhitm it was?)Well for someone who has not been there this could not count as histories about Mr. Kurtz or worst, but all i can said is: being there is living in permanent fear no matter how far your white collar work is from the crude day to day reality of this people. Bob surely did an excelent work, but damn! why not try to surf across the "filariasis" waters of the Malabo coast? Thanks Bob, for remind me some of the better experiences in my life, those that help to know the worth of living in a developing country with all of his ups and downs but surely better as happily I'm now. Finally I'm happy for not catching malaria in those long years. A record! The book tells the truth, but I know there are many worst things that hardly one could see or tell. Want some more? I'll tell you about Andrew, a young and handsome british consultor being beaten on his barefeet by Malabo's police -headed by the strong police chief and Obiang's brother, - his fault was showing off at a Malabo disco bar.The reaction in the UN context was: "don't make waves". Want to know more about "etiopia"? You wouldn't believe it, you'd tell I'm Crazy. Cheers Bob!

Excellent
Tropical Gangsters gives you an interesting look into Equatorial Guinea through the eyes of an economist, but also a human.

If you're interested in development, foreign aid, etc you'll find this book fascinating. No groundbreaking theories are found here, but the practical side is conveyed clearly and precisely.

It reads like a diary of sorts, there are insights into cultural differences, personal life and political science questions.

Interesting but less than the title suggests
Perhaps I have a warped perspective because I read Tropical Gangsters around the same time as reading accounts of Congo, Somalia, the Sudan, Rawanda and other African genocides, but Robert Klitgaard's experience in Equatorial Guinea was not all that bad, comparatively speaking. Which is not to say it is an interesting book. But a lot of what he does is office work; put together presentations, have meetings, plan strategies, etc. He does them in interesting surroundings in interesting circumstances, but at the end of the day it is white collar work. And in his spare time he surfs, visits with friends, drives around the country side and so forth. All of which is interesting to read about for most of us. And occasionally there are very low key coup attempts and a couple of people he knows are arrested and tortured. But it is unclear who the "gangsters" he refers to are; most of the people in the Equatoguinean government he works with seem honest and eager to get his help in furthering economic development. He does not personally experience any of the outrageous examples of corruption you read about in the context of other African countries. For comparative purposes, try "In the Footsteps of Mister Kurtz" about Zaire/Congo, which shows how bad things really could be.

Best book ever written on Equatorial Guinea
This is really an excellent book on all levels and I am very glad to have found it. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer I could empathize with the author's trials and tribulations in trying to pull off some development work in a badly mis-governed country as well as his obvious liking and best wishes for the people he met. From this book you get a very clear and down-to-earth picture of a) Equatorial Guinea, one of the forgotten corners of the world, b)the development game played by donors and recipients, experts, expats, local bureaucrats and dictator's toadies and c) the problems the world, collectively, faces because poorer countries need help but richer countries don't really know how to deliver it. I finished the book wondering, as ever, if the whole development game is hopeless in all countries with autocratic or kleptocratic rulers who care not a whit for the welfare of their own people. "Gangsters" exist amongst the Western aid people too, they are not endemic merely in the Third World. The author was most certainly not one of them. TROPICAL GANGSTERS is a clear, well-written book, one of the best on the development process I have ever seen. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

This book introduces students to new ways of thinking about culture and development. The book integrates the recent scholarship in the area of cultural studies within the existing frameworks of development studies, which have primarily focused on issues of political economy and structural transformation. Rather than viewing culture as simply an attribute of the societies undergoing development, this text critically examines how "development" itself operates as a cultural process. The authors draw on theories of modernity, poststructuralism and post-colonial studies to show how development institutions, processes and practices are inevitably caught up in a web of cultural presuppositions, values and meanings.

The authors use the themes of gender, tradition and identity, human rights and new communication technologies to explore the challenges that processes of cultural change pose to conventional understandings of development. The book concludes by considering the move beyond "development" to a "post-development" paradigm.

The book is made up of thematic chapters which include outlines and overviews of the specific topics, as well as case studies to illustrate the issues. The authors have designed the book specifically for students and teachers and the material included has been class-tested during their own teaching. ... Read more

Book Description

Two renowned investment advisors and authors of the bestseller The Great Reckoning bring to light both currents of disaster and the potential for prosperity and renewal in the face of radical changes in human history as we move into the next century. The Sovereign Individual details strategies necessary for adapting financially to the next phase of Western civilization.

Few observers of the late twentieth century have their fingers so presciently on the pulse of the global political and economic realignment ushering in the new millennium as do James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg. Their bold prediction of disaster on Wall Street in Blood in the Streets was borne out by Black Tuesday. In their ensuing bestsellar, The Great Reckoning, published just weeks before the coup attempt against Gorbachev, they analyzed the pending collapse of the Soviet Union and foretold the civil war in Yugoslavia and other events that have proved to be among the most searing developments of the past few years.

In The Sovereign Individual, Davidson and Rees-Mogg explore the greatest economic and political transition in centuries -- the shift from an industrial to an information-based society. This transition, which they have termed "the fourth stage of human society," will liberate individuals as never before, irrevocably altering the power of government. This outstanding book will replace false hopes and fictions with new understanding and clarified values. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

A bold, unemotional thesis - ignore at your peril!
Davidson and Rees-Mogg put forward a dispassionate and compelling argument on the ramifications and logical outworkings of the information age. What sets the book apart from its peers' is the unemotional and, some would say, cold logic the authors use in developing their hypothesis, argument and conclusions. By comparison, most authors attempting to 'predict' the future tend to use an emotional, idealistic approach to the argument proposed - little, or dubious emperical evidence is put forth. As a result the reader will either agree,or disagree, on the basis of their personal belief system. We can assume, in the marjority of cases, that neither party will change his views.

This book is therefore fundamentally different, the case provides a wealth of evidence, facts and historical precedent to support the hypothesis. The reader is challenged to seek out for himself the signs that these 'megapolitical' changes are, in fact, occuring. Recent examples include, the 'asian financial meltdown', the 'revenue problems' that taxation departments are experiencing world wide, the rise of xenophobic 'nationalist' parties reacting to globalisation and technology (Australias "One Nation Party"), the 'luddite' irrational argument of the evironmental movement, the list goes one - however, as Davidson and Rees-Mogg clearly state, you must find out for yourself.

Even within this review section, several reviewers have argued, bitterly, against this book using emotional and idealistic arguments. I am afraid that 'wishful' thinking will matter not in the least as these megapolitical events unfold.

However, this reaction is entirely expected.

PS: The "offshore" services and facilities proposed by the authors to protect your assets and avoid predatory taxation are now readily available - use your 'browser'! Sorry 'state worshippers' the 'cats already out of the bag', so to speak.

Interpretive history by authors who know some economics
This book makes many forecasts about what the 21st century will be like; many, perhaps most, will prove wrong. This is not intended as a criticism of the authors, but as a reminder of the perils of the crystal ball business! In any event, Davidson and Rees-Mogg can be quite guilty of wishful libertarian daydreaming.

Nevertheless, I value The Sovereign Individual for its interpretation of our past. Reading this book, any intelligent lay person will understand that the technologies of taxation and violence are deep factors underlying the rise and evolution of the nation-state. Now information technology is increasing the possibilities for untaxable income. This will erode the power of nation-states, which is no more than the power to use the threat of violence to compel payment of taxes. Granted, many of us pay taxes voluntarily. But if nations had to rely solely on voluntary taxation, they would be a lot weaker than they are at present. Information technology has implications for the future payoff to private violence (crime, terrorism) and national violence (war), but these are less evident.

For those of you out there who are academic economists, Davidson and Rees-Mogg interpret history and politics in terms strongly derived from Coase and Oliver Williamson (transaction costs, property rights, asset specificity, opportunism, and so on). And it is definitely true that if a firm owns a lot of physical assets that can be rendered worthless during a strike, its workers can easily hold those assets hostage in exchange for higher wages.

Impressive but needs balance
This is probably a work of most impressive historical analysis as I have read ever. It had a great impact on my way of thinking but I have some reservations that might be of interest to new readers.

Authors prove that logic of violence explains most of human progress in western history but they end up skewing it towards the narrow realm of simplistic political structure of the west, conservatives VS librels. To be a work of real depth the authors should have given more attention to the other 'neccessary evil ;)' side of the capitalistic equation, i-e the economic impact and future of labor capital, and the underpreviledged in a society.

The capitalists can't logicaly sustain limitless greed in the name of output and efficiency, and be happy go lucky customers who control the government. All this efficiency through technology is truely great, but people operate techology and there are ones who don't, aren't capitalists, but still manage to do beautiful things, unseen or unsung. will you say they are not smart as capitalists?

Also, I think in essence so-called 'Muslim Fundamentalists' want the same thing captalists want, 'a better life' through logic of violence. So what is the difference?

brilliant
Whether it be Genesis as a parable for the agricultural revolution, or our mistrust of politicians and bureaucrats as a sign of impending change, this book provides insights into both where humanity has been and where it is going.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!
So said a wise philospher!

This book could have easily had this maxim as its subtitle. The authors cogently, and compellingly use historical trends to show that democracy as we know it is at an end.

Many will decry this book's "apocalyptic tone" but the fact remains that statistics don't lie: the majority of people do not vote in any election, which is one of the leading indicators of a democracy's demise. The authors use the example of the Roman church's hold on power during the Dark ages as a prime example of a system that lost its hold due to decadence from within. Because the leader's lived large at the expense of the common man, people no longer felt that religion had a relevence to their lives.

The same is true with politics today. We all know that the ruling class in this country lives large with perquisities and privaleges befitting royalty, all at taxpayer expense. Washington, or "inside the Beltway," is perceived as being so far removed from our daily lives that most politicians are looked upon with derision. Just watch how mercilessly they are pillioried in the popular culture, and in the media. This contempt for the nobles is but one of many signs that the nation-state is at an end.

It is very hard to get the average person to understand that times have changed, and the changes will dramatically effect our lives in every way. It is natural to want to hold onto what is familiar and safe. But the things that will be, will be regardless of protest or mawkish sentimentality, and these two authors have their fingers on the pulse of the future. ... Read more

Book Description

What did the Latin American economies achieve in the course of a hundred years? Per capita income increased fivefold, yet today it is lower in proportion to the industrial countries than it was a century ago. Modern infrastructure was built and industry grew to 20 percent of GDP, but the region's share of world trade was halved. Social indicators such as life expectancy and literacy improved dramatically, but inequity and poverty worsened.

This comprehensive economic history examines the political, institutional and economic forces that shaped Latin America's complex and often paradoxical development process over the twentieth century. By examining quantitative data alongside the region's political economies, the book provides historical context for the development strategies, choices, successes, and failures of the Latin American countries.

Commissioned by IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias, the book draws on studies and consultancies prepared by a number of specialists on Latin America. A comprehensive Statistical Appendix provides regionwide and country-by-country data in such areas as GDP, manufacturing, sector productivity, prices, trade, income distribution, and living standards.

Moving chronologically through the century, the book focuses on two dramatic waves of expansion that shaped regional growth: first, an export boom as the century began, and second, import-substitution industrialization corresponding to renewed expansion of the international economy following the Depression and the two World Wars. Following the debt crisis of the 1980s, Latin America at century's end has returned to where it began, with reliance on the free market and export-led growth. However, the book outlines the changes in economic structures and approaches that make today's economic scenario radically different from the old.

Reviews (1)

A Fascinating Way to Study History!!!
"Progress, Poverty and Exclusion. An Economic History of Latin America in the 20th Century" is a fascinating book from the cover to the annexes.The contrast between a XX th century modern city and a shanty town showed in the cover gives the reader an initial idea of the position of the writer regarding Latin American economic development.Poverty, exclusion and income concentration are problems that are inherent to the vast majority of Latin American economies and Rosemary Thorp makes sure that the reader remembers that throughout the book. Her social focus is perfectly compatible with a serious economic analysis based on well-documented facts and statistical data.Every student of Latin American history, politics and economics should have this book in his or her shelves.Furthermore, any scholar dealing with Latin American issues should not forget to read Thorp's work "every morning" to remember what is that the Latin American economies achieved in the course of a hundred years. Finally, I highly recommend accompanying the reading of this book with another masterpiece, "The Economic History of Latin America" by Victor Bulmer-Thomas ... Read more

Book Description

How do the public policies of the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom stack up against one another? Comparing Public Policies combines a conceptual discussion of policy-making with an examination of seven specific policy areas using a cross-national perspective. Adolino and Blake strike a balance between policy analysis and description as they provide students with a helpful mix of analytical tools and background information.

The book begins with a concise overview of the policy process and then considers the role of cultural, economic, political, and institutional influences on policy-making. A brief chapter describes the political system of the six countries and provides necessary context. The core of the book is devoted to seven policy areas: immigration, fiscal policy, taxation, health care, social policy, education, and the environment. Each chapter shares a common framework that begins with an introduction to a policy topic, follows with its examination in each country, and concludes with an analysis of cross-national trends-past and present-in policy choices, outcomes, and dynamics. A final chapter re-examines the internationalization of public policy in industrialized countries. Adolino and Blake also consider how policymakers use this comparative perspective to guide them in their policy choices and help them pursue those choices within the political process.

Useful pedagogical features have been incorporated throughout the text. "In Depth" boxes offer students a more detailed discussion of a policy issue, political process, or analytical technique while "Country At-a-Glance" boxes provide quick reference to the political institutions of each country. A wealth of recent data is displayed in numerous tables and a glossary gives students a practical guide to terminology. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

The Politics of Writing
The Writers of books like Unholy Trnity make very little money for their hard work (usually a few hundred dollars a year for 3-4 years). They write books like this out of political commitment. And then people like "Not Right" (though he or she probably is, Right Wing) criticize the author for responding to an obviously political critique! This book, as the Publishers Weekly review says, provides a scholarly grounding for the anti-WTO, IMF and World Bank protests. The group of students and faculty who worked on it did a splendid job. Read it and you will see.

Not Right
I think that it is pathetic for one of the authors to actually review and rate his own book. It seems as if this person is obsessed with selling as many copies of his book as possible. This type of greed is exactly what he pretends to be writing against. It is also wrong for someone (perhaps also one of the authors), to attack another reviewer, just because he/she did not like the book. These things say a lot about the author/s of this volume.

Florida again
The Florida reviewer criticizes the book's discussion of Foucault, but doesnt know how to spell his (Foucault's) name! Specify the criticisms so they can be replied to. Dont leave them as empty words. So the concept of hegemony used in the book, or which data are not backed up with sources? I dont find any. What we have here is a political attack disguised as a factual review.

Horrible
Please do not buy this book; the author (...) lacks any knowledge of the topic he discusses. The whole discussion about Focault and the so-called "hegemony" is irrational and wrong. The authour is (...) prone to endorsing irrational ideas. The whole discussion of certain countries' roles (Argentina-Brazil) is simply wrong; the account given of those countries' recent history is false. The economic figures provided in the book are also false; no source of them is provided. Please do not buy this book(...).

Posing new questions, not answering ready-made ones
I am a contributing author to this book. This book was written over a period of two years, during which the authors carried an extensive and detailed research on how the global institutions came to be central actors in the contemporary global political economy, and why do they operate the way they do. We looked into the internal structure of these institutions, the broad political and economic context in which they emerged, and their historical transformations in the face of a changing world, in order to deconstruct their seeming inevitability and neutrality, and to situate them in real historical-geographical circumstances. We sought to explain and criticize the instrumental role these institutions play in producing economic and geographical inequality, and massive human misery all over the world in the name of development. The authors were not "obliged to give a negative view" because of the title of the book, as our 'critic' suggests, rather, because of what we found in researching the history and geography of these institutions. (And, for the authors, an unholy trinity sounds as "negative" as a holy one!)

We do not pretend to approach the subject with a neutral, apolitical attitude-our ultimate aim in writing this book is to explore different possibilities, and different worlds. Like our critic, we wonder what kind of world it would be without the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO; but we wonder for the future, not to justify and apologize for the past and present (mis)deeds of these institutions. We deliberately did not present "the other side"-by which is meant the global institutions' view of themselves; the reader can find such views in the many publications of the institutions and their apologists. They're literally all over the place, and this is one reason that motivated us to work on an alternative view, a different history. For not presenting arguments in favor of these institutions (although we always present them at length where we criticize them!), and although he finds the text "sometimes hard to understand" (quoting sentences out of context to demonstrate), our critic describes our analyses as superficial, and the discussion shallow. Maybe our critic was expecting to read another kind of book; better, maybe our critic would like to read the book again, and give another thought to what is truly "the other side". ... Read more

Book Description

Since the appearance of the first edition in 1990, Planning Local Economic Development has become the foundation for an entire generation of planners and academics teaching planning. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Third Edition continues to explore the theories of local economic development and address the dilemmas communities face. Blakely and Bradshaw investigate planning processes, analytical techniques, business and human resource development, as well as high-technology economic development strategies. Written by academics with many years of regional and city planning experience, this book will prove invaluable to professors of economic development, urban studies, and public administration. Economic development specialists in local and municipal government, as well as nonprofit organizations, will also find this an essential reference.

New to this Edition:

• Case studies, illustrations, and exercises demonstrate how each theory can be employed in a real-world setting
• Sample resource materials facilitate the development and design of program plans
• New arguments for implementing local economic development initiatives
• Thoroughly updated to reflect the financial boom of the 1990s and subsequent collapse, the policies of the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and the aftermath of September 11

Book Description

This book looks beyond politics to show how the ability of the U.S. government to implement policies is strongly affected by various economic constraints. These include the credibility of the policies, the ability of government to commit to them, the extent to which firms and consumers rationally anticipate their effects, whether the success of a policy further encourages firms and individuals to behave in intended ways, and whether the behavior of such actors can be sustained without continued government intervention. The authors apply these concepts to four areas of policy: macroeconomic policies to promote employment and economic growth, redistributive policies to benefit the poor and the elderly, production policies to provide goods and services, and regulatory policies to guide the behavior of firms and individuals. In doing so they provide plausible explanations of many puzzling phenomena�for example, why government has been successful in reducing cigarette smoking, but has failed to get people to install and maintain emission-control devices in their cars.This book recasts debates about public policy, avoiding conventional �pro-government� or �anti-government� positions; rather, it helps to predict when public policy will succeed. ... Read more

Book Description

Makes Japanese sources accessible in English
Although much of the work on Japanese economic history is inaccessible to Westerners, many of Japan's leading economic historians have published widely in English. Combined with the work of Western economists who can utilize Japanese-language sources, this series assembles a wide range of English-language articles on the key issues in Japanese economic development. Individual volumes cover the interwar period, postwar reconstruction and growth, the textile industry, demographics, agriculture, trade, and the rise of commerce and "protoindustry" in the Tokugawa era.

An information-packed classroom and research resource
An introductory essay in each volume discusses the significance of the articles, compares various economic development in Japan with those in other countries, and puts studies in the context of similar studies in Europe. A versatile research resource, this 7-volume set is a veritable gold mine of hard-to-find information and data from diverse sources and a godsend to everyone interested in comparative economic and social history. Professors will appreciate the collection because it gives them instant access to less familiar English-language sources and is an easy way to introduce students to doing their own research. Students will appreciate the many articles as a mother lode of information for reports and papers. Researchers will be pleased by the coverage of more than three centuries of Japanese history and life. ... Read more

Book Description

Elaborating on the concepts first introduced in Global Public Goods, this book addresses the long overdue issue of how to adjust the concept of public goods to today's economic and political realities. The production of global public goods requires the orchestration of initiatives by a large number of diverse actors across different levels and sectors. It may require the collaboration of governments, business and civil society, and in most cases it almost certainly calls for an effective linkage of the local, national, regional, and global levels. In light of today's new realities, this book examines a series of managerial and political challenges that pertain to the design and implementation of production strategies and the monitoring and evaluation of global public goods provision.As participatory decision-making enhances the political support for - and thus the effectiveness of - certain policy decisions, this volume offers suggestions on a number of pragmatic policy reforms for bringing the global public more into public policy making on global issues. Nine case studies examine the importance of the global public good concept from the viewpoint of developing countries, exploring how and where the concerns of the poor and the rich overlap.Providing Global Public Goods offers important and timely suggestions on how to move in a more feasible and systematic way towards a fairer process of globalization that works in the interests of all. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect Follow-up
Global Public Goods and Multilateralism must intertwine in order for progress and provision to come about. This is an idea that is so often neglected and forgotten. This book places an importance role that nations must carry out...it also provides recommendations for issues that arise in the midst of GPG provision. This book does not negate the global issues that exist within and surrounding the international realm...yet the book does a fabulous job on highlighting the importance of addressing these issues as a means of furthering the progress of Global Public Goods.

Thought Provoking
This books is an excellent follow-up of the Global Public Goods: International Cooperation in the 21st Century. It helped me visual and understand the provisionary measures needed to bring about GPGs. ... Read more

Book Description

Macroeconomic Policy is an applications oriented textdesigned for individuals who desire a hands-on approach to analyzingthe effects of fiscal and monetary policies. The book demystifies thelinkages between monetary and fiscal policies and key macroeconomicvariables such as income, unemployment, inflation and interest rates.MBA and Executive MBA students who appreciate the importance ofmonetary and fiscal analysis will find this text to be right ontarget. Financial analysts and individual investors who need to stripaway economic myths and jargon and systematically examine andunderstand the effects of macro policies will also find the bookextremely useful. A unique feature of this book is the extensive use of speciallywritten "newspaper" articles designed to simulate currentmacroeconomic news. Topics such as unemployment, soft landings,overheated economies, asset-price bubbles, liquidity traps,hyperinflations, and exchange rate meltdowns are incorporated in thesearticles. Each chapter contains exercises that enable the reader torelate specific underlined passages in these articles to the theorypresented in preceding chapters. This distinctive approach ensuresreal-world applicability, and supporting diagrams further enable thereader to relate current economic news to the theoretical materialdiscussed. Macroeconomic Policy is designed for a global audience. A keyfeature of this book is its emphasis on the role of expectations and"paradigm shifts" in implementing fiscal and monetary policies, bothin developed as well as in emerging economies. This approach explainswhy once-successful macroeconomic models suddenly cease to beeffective, and why Keynesian as well as Supply-Side models canlegitimately coexist in several developed economies. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Excellent Preparation for CFA Level 1
I am an employee at Merrill Lynch (I have my series 7,63,65,24,4), and currently studying for the CFA Level 1 Exam, however, my background is in Biochemistry and Biology so it is pretty obvious that I was behind my peers relative to our formal academic background.So, I felt that I needed a book that that could clearly communicate the macroeconomic policies that govern this country. However, because the CFA level 1 is a difficult exam, I could not afford to have the author dilute the information, or overly simplify the information. Fortunately, the literature provided in this book not only conveyed the information better, and clearer than, the actual CFA preparatory classes that I had been taken, but it was such a fun book to read.The beauty of this book is that it provides actual contemporay, and historic global examples to supplement the literature.Prior to reading this book, I had read other books on macroeconomic policy that were so dry that I could not even finish the chapters (and I had read some pretty dry books during my days as an undergrade pursuing my double major in Biotechnology and Biology), but this book was the type of book that I did not want to put down from the moment I started reading it.Furthermore, this book also assisted me in getting a better understanding of the markets (equities and real estate) for future investments as well.After reading this book, I am such a sharper investor, I can now dissect the nonsense from the valid information that is being promoted on TV and in magazines.I highly recommend this book for everyone who is interested in getting a deeper understanding of how our government works, and how our economy works relative to the rest of the world.

Excellent Preparation for CFA Level 1
I am an employee at Merrill Lynch (I have my series 7,63,65,24,4) and currently studying for the CFA Level 1 Exam, however, my background is in Biochemistry and Biology so it is pretty obvious that I was behind relative to my peers with regards to our formal academic background. So I felt that I needed a book that that could clearly communicate the macroeconomic policies that govern this country. However, because the CFA level 1 is a difficult exam, I could not afford to have the author dilute the information or overly simplify the information. Fortunately, the literature provided in this book not only conveyed the information better, and clearer than the actual CFA preparatory classes that I had been taken, but it was such a fun book to read. The beauty of this book is that it provides actual contemporay and historic global examples to supplement the literature. Prior to reading this book I had read other books on macroeconomic policy that were so dry that I could not even finish the chapters (and I had read some pretty dry books during my days as an undergrade pursuing my double major in Biotechnology and Biology)but this book was the type of book that I did not want to put down from the moment I started reading it. Furthermore, this book also assisted me in getting a better understanding of the markets (equities and real estate) for future investments as well. After reading this book, I am such a sharper investor, I can now dissect the nonsense from the valid information that is being promoted on TV and in magazines. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is interested in getting a deeper understanding of how our government works, and how our economy works relative to the rest of the world.

Outstanding!
This book truly does demystify macroeconomics.Professor Langdana makes it accessible and easy to see the results of monetary and fiscal policy.I've never studied economics and I know I have a much better understanding of the subject thanks to him and his book!

Review of Langdana's Macroeconomic Policy
This book truly "demystifies" domestic and global monetary and fiscal policy.The strength of the book lies in the author's ability to not hide behind equations and math but to explain and analyze macropolicy clearly and intuitively.This should be required reading for all members of Congress!I wish I had a book like this while I was in graduate school!Superb!

Not recommended at all as a graduate level textbook
The book is not at all suited for a grad level course because none of the graphs or equations have any mathematicalderivations. The content of the book undermines the intellectual capabilities of a grad student. In short, there isn't much that a student can learn from this book. ... Read more

Book Description

`Every now and then one stumbles across a breath of fresh air and this practical research guide is certainly one of them!.. It will be no doubt refreshing for those of us who keep going to the field and who perhaps have forgotten the human dimension of research. For those who supervise students the book will be a useful source of inspiration.... I shall certainly recommend the book to any of my students' - Development and Change

`Development Fieldwork is an excellent examination of and preparation for development research and will be an invaluable guide to all those entering or considering fieldwork, wherever that may be' - Progress in Development Studies

`I would strongly recommend it as a field textbook across a range of disciplines and topics. The tone is thoughtful, engaging and pragmatic, with all of the chapters contributing equally to a very high quality publication.

It is the best book I have read on fieldwork for a while. It is essential for anyone contemplating 'development' based study, but it also contains a great deal of value and interest to geographers, sociologists and other students working in and on the West' - Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography

'This is an outstanding book, and one that all of us engaged in fieldwork in "developing countries" will want to read and doubtless re-read. Thoughtful, relevant and consistently well-written' - Professor Stuart Corbridge, London School of Economics and University of Miami

'An excellent overview of the pitfalls and problems of fieldwork in remote places... elegant and enjoyable, incisive and elegant... good humoured and eminently practical - the "Lonely Planet" guide to the field' - Professor John Connell, Sydney University

'A very welcome and richly inviting review of the politics, ethics and practicalities of fieldwork, Development Fieldwork deserves reading in many 'fields'. This will surely travel far' - James D Sidaway, National University of Singapore

'I warmly commend this guide to anyone planning or even thinking about fieldwork in the Third World. Postgraduates and academics will find it particularly good, as it not only raises an abundance of practical and logistical points but explores fundamental ethical and epistemological

concerns to an unusual degree, including issues not addressed elsewhere. The clarity and attention to detail are also very welcome, as is the ease with which the book can be navigated' - Janet Townsend, University of Durham

`Developmental Fieldwork provides a useful guide packed with information on practical and personal (and sometimes political) matters.As with all good `rough' guides, rather than fixing options and closing issues, the authors make it a point to suggest flexible itineraries across the terrain of the `field'. The book should in time become a well-thumbed, dog-eared volume, thrown into the haversack along with the notebook (both sorts), tape recorder, mosquito repellent, sunglasses and sturdy shoes' - Brenda S A Yeoh, National University of Singapore

Development Fieldwork provides an indispensable new resource and guide for all students undertaking development fieldwork in the Third World.

Accessible and lively, the text:

-introduces the basics of research design and methodology together with guidance on choosing the best research methods;

- provides `hands on' advice (practical, personal and ethical) to those preparing to enter `the field';

-covers the initial planning and preparation stages to end writing up and tips for the successful resumption of life back home.

The authors draw upon a rich and diverse set of fieldwork experiences across the developing world (rural and urban) and utilize case studies to illustrate the many common issues and challenges that will face both new and experienced fieldwork researchers.

It will be an essential text and companion to all postgraduate and research students across the social sciences.

Book Description

"Aghion and Howitt is a real breakthrough in growth economics. This book has profound implications and should be read by anyone who is serious about studying economic growth" -- Nicholas Crafts, Department of Economic History, London School of Economics and Political Science

Advanced economies have experienced a tremendous increase in material well- being since the industrial revolution. Modern innovations such as personal computers, laser surgery, jet airplanes, and satellite communication have made us rich and transformed the way we live and work. But technological change has also brought with it a variety of social problems. It has been blamed at various times for increasing wage and income inequality, unemployment, obsolescence of physical and human capital, environmental deterioration, and prolonged recessions.

To understand the contradictory effects of technological change on the economy, one must delve into structural details of the innovation process to analyze how laws, institutions, customs, and regulations affect peoples' incentive and ability to create new knowledge and profit from it. To show how this can be done, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt make use of Schumpeter's concept of creative destruction, the competitive process whereby entrepreneurs constantly seek new ideas that will render their rivals' ideas obsolete.

Whereas other books on endogenous growth stress a particular aspect, such as trade or convergence, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and empirical debates raised by modern growth theory. It develops a powerful engine of analysis that sheds light not only on economic growth per se, but on the many other phenomena that interact with growth, such as inequality, unemployment, capital accumulation, education, competition, natural resources, international trade, economic cycles, and public policy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

not quite a textbook
This book is a treatise of the most recent works in endogenous growth theory, and so it may be inappropriate to be used as a textbook for a course. Although the exercises are explained, it seems that this book cannot be feasibly used for self-study because, as the reviewer below me pointed out, you need someone to fill in the gaps. Nevertheless, the authors do a great job in explaining the intuition behind the difficult technical papers that make up this book. I think this book would be useful for those masters/doctoral students who are preparing/writing their thesis. The explanations and the bibliography can guide them and enable them to get many ideas for their paper.

Good theory, Poor presentation
To read this book effectively, you really need to have the articles that the authors cited in the book, especially their own articles.
The ideas from the book are excellent. However, the presentation of the is extremely bad. I am not saying for just myself. Many of my professors and my peers also agree.
The authors skipped a lot on the derivation of the equations without mentioning where they came from, or without even defining some terminologies. Sometime, you will get really frustrated.

I prefer to learn not just the ideas but also the technical foundations. Barro and Xala-i Martin's book on Growth is excellent in this. It is impossible to learn that in this book. Sorry, the book is a failure!!!
I talked to my friends in other schools in Cambridge. They were surprised because Aghion is supposed to be a very careful professor. I don't know. But I have attended a conference and seen how Howitt presented. It is a big, really big, conference, and the guy just wrote down those equations and calculations by hand. They are even not neat.
The exercises are interesting and helpful if you want to master the tricks. However, again, you need to read the articles that they used since many steps will be skipped carelessly.

One of the principal books about the modern economic growth
"Endogenous Growth Theory" by Philippe Aghion and Peter W. Howitt is one of the best book about economic growth theory who I've seen. This book together with "Advanced Macroeconomics" by David Romer and "Economic Growth" by Robert Barro and Xavier Sala-I-Martin are the principal books about all the modern economic growth theory. I recommend very much this book.

Comprehensive
An intermediate-to-advanced updated text in this specialized branch of growth economics. A nice follow-through if you have already read something like Barro & Sala-i-Martin's book. Fully packed with exercises and thier results explained! Complete bibliography. in short, a must.

an Intuitive book
This book presents a series of advanced growth models with optimal level of mathematics and intuition. ... Read more

Book Description

A century after the publication of Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the “Spirit” of Capitalism a major new work examines network-based organization, employee autonomy and post-Fordist horizontal work structures.

Why is the critique of capitalism so ineffective today? In this major work, the sociologists Eve Chiapello and Luc Boltanski suggest that we should be addressing the crisis of anticapitalist critique by exploring its very roots.

Via an unprecedented analysis of management texts which influenced the thinking of employers and contributed to reorganization of companies over the last decades, the authors trace the contours of a new spirit of capitalism. From the middle of the 1970s onwards, capitalism abandoned the hierarchical Fordist work structure and developed a new network-based form of organization which was founded on employee initiative and relative work autonomy, but at the cost of material and psychological security.

This new spirit of capitalism triumphed thanks to a remarkable recuperation of the “artistic critique”—that which, after May 1968, attacked the alienation of everyday life by capitalism and bureaucracy. At the same time, the “social critique” was disarmed by the appearance of neocapitalism and remained fixated on the old schemas of hierarchical production.

This book, remarkable for its scope and ambition, seeks to lay the basis for a revival of these two complementary critiques. ... Read more