Debunking Economics : The Naked Emperor of the Social Sciences

by Keen

• ISBN13: 9781856499927
• ISBN10: 1856499928
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-23
• Publisher: Zed Books

Summary

What is the score card for economics at the start of the new millennium? While there are many different schools of economic thought, it is the neo-classical school, with its alleged understanding and simplistic advocacy of the market, that has become equated in the public mind with economics. This book shows that virtually every aspect of conventional neo-classical economics' thinking is intellectually unsound. Steve Keen draws on an impressive array of advanced critical thinking. He constitutes a profound critique of the principle concepts, theories, and methodologies of the mainstream discipline. Keen raises grave doubts about economics' pretensions to established scientific status and its reliability as a guide to understanding the real world of economic life and its policy-making.

Author Biography

Steve Keen is Senior Lecturer in Economics and Finance, University of Western Sydney.

Table of Contents

Contents	v
List of figures	vi
List of tables	vii
Preface	ix
No more Mr Nice Guy	1	(20)
Part 1 Foundations	21	(106)
The calculus of hedonism	23	(31)
The price of everything and the value of nothing	54	(31)
Size does matter	85	(25)
To each according to his contribution	110	(17)
Part 2 Complexities	127	(114)
The holy war over capital	129	(19)
There is madness in their method	148	(17)
Let's do the Time Warp again	165	(23)
The sum of the parts	188	(26)
The price is not right	214	(27)
Part 3 Alternatives	241	(73)
Finance and economic breakdown	243	(15)
Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano	258	(11)
Nothing to lose but their minds	269	(31)
There are alternatives	300	(14)
References	314