How to Argue with an Economist
Reopening Political Debate in Australia

Explains the basic ideas in economics, and how you can argue with them.

Lindy Edwards (Author)

9780521699433, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 May 2007

208 pages
21.5 x 13.7 x 1.2 cm, 0.258 kg

'This excellent book deserves to be widely read … it sympathetically and seriously engages both economists and their critics … combines passionate argument with generosity and fairmindedness.' Paul Oslington, UNSW

This fascinating book reflects on how economics has become central to our lives, and how the 'economic rationalist' perspective has become the lens through which all matters in Australian public life are viewed. It explains how this economic worldview systematically overlooks important social issues and how it transforms Australian culture. How to Argue with an Economist invites a broad general audience into debates that were once reserved for experts. Lindy Edwards, a former economic adviser in the Prime Minister's Department, has a talent for expressing concepts simply. She distils economics' key ideas into a lively and enjoyable read, explaining how economists think and then how you can argue with them.

Part I. A Historical Juncture: 1. A political impasse
2. A nation-defining choice
3. Economic rationalism's grip on power
Part II. Getting a Handle on Economics: 4. Is economics a science?
5. Key ideas in economics
Part III. Revealing Economic Rationalism's Worldview: 6. 'Punters' versus 'economic rationalists'
7. Contrasting views of human nature
8. Contrasting views of how society works
9. Contrasting views of the ideal society
10. Economic policy and culture
Part IV. Arguing with an Economic Rationalist: 11. How to argue with an economic rationalist
12. Reclaiming responsibility
13. Arguing about economic efficiency
14. Arguing about quality of life
15. Arguing about justice
Part V. The Future: 16. The way forward
17. Making sure 'she'll be right'.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Economics [KC], Comparative politics [JPB]