Fixing Economics
The story of how the dismal science was broken - and how it could be rebuilt
By George Cooper
Fixing Economics
The story of how the dismal science was broken - and how it could be rebuilt
By George Cooper
Jacket text
THE EXPANDED SECOND EDITION OF THE ACCLAIMED ‘MONEY, BLOOD AND REVOLUTION’
Economics is a broken science, living in a kind of Alice in Wonderland state believing in multiple inconsistent things at the same time. Prior to the financial crisis, mainstream economics argued simultaneously for small government on taxation, regulation and spending, but big government on monetary policy. After the financial crisis, economics is now arguing for more government spending and for less government spending.
The premise of this book is that the internal inconsistencies between economic theories – the apparently unresolvable debates between leading economists and the incoherent policies of our governments – are symptomatic of economics being in a crisis. Specifically, in a scientific crisis.
The good news is that, thanks to the work of scientist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn, we know what needs to be done to fix a scientific crisis. Moreover, there are two scientists in particular whose ideas could show how to do this for economics: Charles Darwin, the man who discovered evolution, and William Harvey, doctor to King Charles I and the first person to understand blood flow and the workings of the human heart.
In Fixing Economics, bestselling financial writer George Cooper explains how the ideas of Darwin and Harvey could revolutionise economics, making it more scientific and understandable, and might even reveal the true origin of economic growth and inequality.
Taking readers on a gripping tour of scientific revolution, social upheaval and the secrets of money and debt, this is an unmissable read for anyone curious to understand how the world really works – and the amazing future of economics.
About the author
George Cooper is the Chief Investment Officer of Equitile Investments Ltd, a London-based fund management company.
He has previously worked for JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and BlueCrest Capital.
George's first book, 'The Origin of Financial Crises', received critical acclaim for its clear explanation of the monetary policy errors leading up to the global financial crisis.
Reviews
“A fascinating new book…Recommended reading…A delightfully well-written new book”
“For those with an open mind his criticisms of the economics profession, and suggestions for new ways forward, will be extremely welcome”
“Very interesting”
“Remarkable”
“Masterly…a major contribution to our future well-being”
Media coverage
From Evonomics:
“If there is anything unique about the human animal it is that it has the ability to grow knowledge at an accelerating rate while being chronically incapable of learning from experience.” John N. Gray, The Silence of Animals: On Progress and Other Modern Myths (2013) If today’s generation of economic rethinkers are to fail and… Read more »
Contents
Author's Note
List of Figures
About the Author
Preface
1. Introduction: The Broken Science
Part I: Science
2. Scientific Revolutions
3. A Crisis in the Heavens
4. Blood and Bacon
5. Darwin's Theory of Species
6. Continents and revolutions
Part II: Economics
7. Economics – Ripe for Revolution
8. Borrowing from Mr Darwin
9. The Paradigm Shift
10. Policy Implications
Part III: Revolution
11. A Student Rebellion
12. Pluralism is the Problem
13. Unifying Pluralism
14. The Last Vanity of Man
Appendix A – Time is Money
Bibliography
Index
Published: | 15/08/2016 |
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Edition: | 2nd |
Pages: | 292 |
Formats: | paperback - ISBN 9780857195524 ebook - ISBN 9780857195579 |
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