Debunking Economics: The Naked Emperor of the Social Sciences

New
Paperback
2001
$17.97

Debunking Economics exposes what many non-economists may have suspected and a minority of economists have long known: that economic theory is not only unpalatable, but also plain wrong. Many of the most cherished notions of conventional economics are based on reasoning that is internally inconsistent. Debunking Economics explains why economists think the way they do, and points out the flaws in their thinking which they either don't realize, don't appreciate, or just plain ignore. Most of these flaws were established by dissident academic economists decades ago, yet modern economics pretends that it can continue with `business as usual'. In a profound irony, Debunking Economics shows that a discipline which labours the word `rational' may be the most irrational of all.

Synopsis

Debunking Economics exposes what many non-economists may have suspected and a minority of economists have long known: that economic theory is not only unpalatable, but also plain wrong. Many of the most cherished notions of conventional economics are based on reasoning that is internally inconsistent. Debunking Economics explains why economists think the way they do, and points out the flaws in their thinking which they either don't realize, don't appreciate, or just plain ignore. Most of these flaws were established by dissident academic economists decades ago, yet modern economics pretends that it can continue with `business as usual'. In a profound irony, Debunking Economics shows that a discipline which labours the word `rational' may be the most irrational of all.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Publisher: Zed Books Ltd
Published: 01 Jul 2001
ISBN 10: 1856499928
ISBN 13: 9781856499927

Media Reviews

`Debunking Economics may not delight economic conservatives, but it is certainly necessary. Our hope must be that it will be read by enough people to prompt reform of our economic thinking and save our endangered societies' - James Cumes, author of `How to Become a Millionaire without really working', and other books `Particularly useful to those, like myself, who are interested in economics but not formally trained in it. Debunking Economics reveals that neoclassical economic doctrines are faulty... because the fundamental assumptions from which such doctrines have been derived are less than self-evident' - Henry C.K. Liu, Chairman, Liu Investment Group `If you are interested in how the economy really works (and want to challenge an economist) then read this book' - James Dick, Professional Members Division, The Economic Society of Australia `Keen's serious but accessible look at the shaky logical and mathematical foundations of neoclassical economics will be of great interest to students and open-minded economists alike. And his insightful survey of alternative schools of thought lends substance to his call for a new economics.' - Don Goldstein, Associate Professor of Economics, Allegheny College `A wide-ranging yet accessible critique of the staples of neoclassical pedagogy' - Alan G. Isaac, Associate Professor of Economics, American University `This text carefully follows the form of argument familiar to all economics undergraduates, through to conclusions from which under-graduates are more usually protected. Avoiding polemic or hyperbole, the case that he presents is all the more damning for its clarity and systematic approach' - John M. Legge, Associate Professor, LaTrobe University `Debunking Economics... will transform the way economics is taught and thought' - Jan Otto Andersson, Professor of Economics, Abo Akademi University, Finland `Professional economists include their own best critics. Steve Keen is one of the very best... translating the algebra into plain language, he deploys a devastating theoretical attack on neoclassical theory' - Hugh Stretton, Fellow of the Academies of the Humanities and Social Sciences, and author of `Economics: A New Introduction' `Refreshingly provocative' - Geoffrey Fishburn, Department of Economics, University of New South Wales

Author Bio

Steve Keen is an academic economist based in Sydney, Australia. Prior to commencing his academic career, Steve was a government policy adviser, a journalist, computer database designer, and overseas aid worker. He has numerous publications in academic journals, and has written and presented more popular pieces for Australian media, including the Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio and Radio National.