SPIN-FREE ECONOMICS by Behravesh, Nariman;

Short description:

A refreshingly commonsense look at today’sglobal economic issues

Long description:

With technology and globalization advancing at breakneck speed, the world economy becomes more complex by the day. Activists, politicians, and media enablers—conservative and liberal, left and right, informed and just plain wrong—consistently seize this opportunity to present woefully simplistic explanationsand hype the latest myths regarding issues affecting the economy. Their purpose is not to educate but to advocate and, in many cases involving the media, manufacture outrage to drive ratings higher. So, where can you find the truth about today’s economy and how it affects you? Turn off the TV, put down the magazine, log off the Internet—and read this book.

Spin-Free Economics places the current economic debates where they belong: in the middle of the road. With no political ax to grind, Nariman Behravesh takes a centrist approach to explain how today’s economic issues affect individuals and businesses. Along the way, he debunks myths regarding the effects of immigration, unemployment, regulation, productivity, education, health care, and other headline issues. Spin-Free Economics answers today’s most pressing questions, including

• Will more regulation prevent financial crises?
• Are outsourcing and foreign ownership good or bad for Americans?
• Should we fear or embrace Asia’s emerging economic powers?
• Is aid or trade the solution to global poverty?

The vast majority of economists, Behravesh points out, are independent analysts who are in agreement on many of today’s issues. Unfortunately, the subject has been taken over by opportunists, whose answers to the questions above invariably fall along partisan lines. Spin-Free Economics is a breath of fresh air for those seeking an alternative to the chatter of ideologues and cynics. Rejecting the manipulative approach of “sound-bite economics,” Nariman Behravesh uses facts and insight tempered by clearheaded reason to present the most accurate assessment of the subject to date.

With technology and globalization advancing at breakneck speed, the world economy becomes more complex by the day. Activists, politicians, and media enablers—conservative and liberal, left and right, informed and just plain wrong—consistently seize this opportunity to present woefully simplistic explanationsand hype the latest myths regarding issues affecting the economy. Their purpose is not to educate but to advocate and, in many cases involving the media, manufacture outrage to drive ratings higher. So, where can you find the truth about today’s economy and how it affects you? Turn off the TV, put down the magazine, log off the Internet—and read this book.

Spin-Free Economics places the current economic debates where they belong: in the middle of the road. With no political ax to grind, Nariman Behravesh takes a centrist approach to explain how today’s economic issues affect individuals and businesses. Along the way, he debunks myths regarding the effects of immigration, unemployment, regulation, productivity, education, health care, and other headline issues. Spin-Free Economics answers today’s most pressing questions, including

• Will more regulation prevent financial crises?
• Are outsourcing and foreign ownership good or bad for Americans?
• Should we fear or embrace Asia’s emerging economic powers?
• Is aid or trade the solution to global poverty?

The vast majority of economists, Behravesh points out, are independent analysts who are in agreement on many of today’s issues. Unfortunately, the subject has been taken over by opportunists, whose answers to the questions above invariably fall along partisan lines. Spin-Free Economics is a breath of fresh air for those seeking an alternative to the chatter of ideologues and cynics. Rejecting the manipulative approach of “sound-bite economics,” Nariman Behravesh uses facts and insight tempered by clearheaded reason to present the most accurate assessment of the subject to date.

Table of Contents:

1. The Unnecessary and Counterproductive Polarization of the Public Discussion on Economic Issues
2. Markets Know Best
3. There is a Price for Everything
4. Competition is the Consumer’s Best Friend
5. Growth is Good
6. Globalization is more Like Love Than War
7. Governments Should Settle for Being the Handmaidens of Markets
8. What Governments Can and Should Do
9. Poverty and Inequality: Help the Disadvantaged Without Hurting the Rest
10. Macroeconomic Policies: The Long (and Ultimately Successful) Search for Stability
11. The Economy and Financial Markets: The Tail Doesn’t (Usually) Wag the Dog