Macroeconomics

Increadable Amasing Futureistic my joy at reading goverment policy great magic inspiring I know things I never new before. Beutifull cover inspireing pages. Bright spitful interactive we are all hope full for a better future

simply and easily explains economic terms and explains international economic terminology for the lay person.

WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had "Urban Economics" for one of my urban planning courses at graduate school. It was a pleasure to study the principles and processes of city building, growth and dynamics, through this book. Every chapter in the book can be a title for a separate volume. So this is a very comprehensive overall general view of economics as a determinant of urban development and form.

I particularly liked the chapters on Urban Poverty and Housing. The chapter on poverty explains issues like income transfers, food stamps and their effect on consumer behavior, problems of inner cities and development policies needed to change that.

Housing has a great chapter devoted to the peculiarities of housing as a commodity and the effect of race and discrimination on housing patterns. The most interesting part concerns the "filtering" of housing from the upper income to lower income populations.

Also explained is the auto oriented transportation vs mass transit and their specific roles in shaping cities.

Highly recommended. Easy to read and understand.

Unlike most contemporary economists, Bjork does not present a theory and then attempt to find evidence that supports it. Rather he has examined and presented historical data which show the inevitability of economic slowdown all on thier own. His clear analysis is easy to read and comprehend. The implications of this book, both implicit and explicit, cross the lines of economics, public policy, and philosophy. This is an important book to everyone in the younger generation.

In this fascinating look at the U.S. economy, Kolko reveals the names of the families that really run America. While the author is not high on capitalism, valuable knowledge about its workings can bee gleened from this history classic. It is somewhat dated now that the names have changed to people like Bill Gates, but the book remains a memorable treasure.

While many authors have conducted micro-based analysis showing the potential efficiency gains from privatization Alfred Schipke takes a macro view of privatization which has been a key policy area in both eastern Europe and western Europe as well as in many developing countries in the 1990s. This study has a strong focus on macroeconomic aspects of privatization, eg growth, balance of payments, employment and monetary and fiscal outcomes. The author starts with a review of the theoretical and empirical literature on public versus private ownership with emphasis on efficiency and growth. Next Alfred Schipke looks into some political economy aspects of privatization followed by a careful analysis of the fiscal motives for privatization. The author rightly points out that fiscal policy makers typically have a short time horizon and rarely consider the broader aspects of intertemporal budget constraints. Schipke looks into a rich variety of policy experiences, including Germany, Pakistan, Jamaica and some eastern European countries. Interestingly, the author also presents a quantitative modelling approach of privatization which is well suited to highlight some key issues. The book offers new insights both from a theoretical and empirical point of view and adds much to the more traditional debate about privatization. Schipke's book is a timely excellent analysis of the key privatization issues at the macro level, and by presenting both modelling approaches as well as thorough case studies the author contributes with advanced material to a core area of economic research and policy analysis. Highly recommended!

Whatever your politics, it's hard to deny that the liberal side of the argument has easily the most stylish advocate in Galbraith. His incomparable wit, irony and lucidity were as sharp as ever at age 85, and the spurts of mockery, even when they're a bit unfair e.g. 'the military mind, or what is commonly so denoted' are memorable in the extreme. The problem with economics is that many, probably most, of us do not understand it well enough to make responsible political judgments as citizens and electors.The temptation to equate our prejudices with great and prevalent truth is strong, and discussion is unduly dominated by those Galbraith terms 'the stridently vocal and pathologically ignorant'. He addresses this shortfall with a chronological commentary on world economic history starting with the disastrous reparations policy of 1919 and the facile specious reasoning that led to it, stating memorably that the second world war was really the last act of the first, the direct consequence of Versailles. His purpose is to argue a point of view, but to argue it from independent reasoning not from what he calls 'theological' belief. He is firmly convinced of the economic benefit, and often the outright necessity, of public intervention in a market system that does not operate in the way its brighter-eyed enthusiasts like to believe. I can't say he persuades me of this because I was persuaded of it to start with, but he assembles the case-history and organises the reasoning. The book was finished in 1993 and 10 years later the doctrine that the affluent need the economic incentive of more money and the poor need the economic incentive of less is once again official theology. I for one couldn't conduct a dispute over this with Professor Friedman or Professor Minford, but I am glad to have the backing, from someone who can, for my personal mindset that not only is this view without proper foundation but that attempts to cloak it with moralism are the most odious self-serving humbug.

Without taking any sides in the often heated battle over competing macroeconomic models, Prof. Langdana presents a well-written, easy to understand dissertation on the driving forces behind macroeconomic policy. Appropriate for readers of all types, from economics students and practitioners to business people who have a vested interest in the performance of world economies. There is useful discussion and analysis in every chapter.

All bases are covered here, from Classical to Keynesian to Supply-side. Real life macroeconomic events such as the Great Depression are explored and analyzed through the lenses of the various models. The use of plain English and clear diagrams makes sophisticated macropolicy theories easy to digest.

Prof. Langdana's imaginative prose brings the theoretical alive, and his clever use of simulated "news articles" to enhance the text and provide real world relevance to the discussions is a superb educational technique. To sum this book up in a single word - HUGE!

This is required reading for anyone concerned with today's economic uncertainty. Written in concise format which introduces the reader to two very fundamentally different economic models complete with easy to understand graphs. Brilliantly highlights impacts of government policies intertwined with real world corporate decision making processes. Easily understood by Governors and Grandmas alike!

I am an employee at Merrill Lynch (I have my series 7,63,65,24,4) and currently studying for the CFA Level 1 Exam, however, my background is in Biochemistry and Biology so it is pretty obvious that I was behind relative to my peers with regards to our formal academic background. So I felt that I needed a book that that could clearly communicate the macroeconomic policies that govern this country. However, because the CFA level 1 is a difficult exam, I could not afford to have the author dilute the information or overly simplify the information. Fortunately, the literature provided in this book not only conveyed the information better, and clearer than the actual CFA preparatory classes that I had been taken, but it was such a fun book to read. The beauty of this book is that it provides actual contemporay and historic global examples to supplement the literature. Prior to reading this book I had read other books on macroeconomic policy that were so dry that I could not even finish the chapters (and I had read some pretty dry books during my days as an undergrade pursuing my double major in Biotechnology and Biology)but this book was the type of book that I did not want to put down from the moment I started reading it. Furthermore, this book also assisted me in getting a better understanding of the markets (equities and real estate) for future investments as well. After reading this book, I am such a sharper investor, I can now dissect the nonsense from the valid information that is being promoted on TV and in magazines. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is interested in getting a deeper understanding of how our government works, and how our economy works relative to the rest of the world.

The Hungry Spirit is often confusing. The author freely acknowledges that modern capitalism operates according to the unrelenting market demands of efficiency and competitiveness, which maximizes the self-interests of an upper layer of market players but is detrimental to the financial and psychological well-being of the less well-placed who have either remained under corporate umbrellas or who have been discarded as redundant. Yet, on the other hand, he suggests that 'anyone with any intelligence and a bit of get-up-and-go can make money.' And for those who don't succeed, it must be because they have failed to develop 'an eye for a customer, the market, and a useful skill.' This is the understanding of an individual who early in life received both an elite education and a lucrative job posting for which he was admittedly mostly unqualified who has now decided in later years to both mildly point out the flaws of capitalistic society and chide those who haven't single-handedly overcome those economic forces.

The author attempts to fuse an emphasis on personal sovereignty, or what he sometimes calls 'proper selfishness,' and the need for community especially within business enterprises. Recognizing that it is increasingly likely that he or she will be left to fend for themselves in the harsh environment of free markets, the individual should not seek employment, per se, but should develop 'employability.' Of course, backpedaling, the author recognizes that the educational system as well as other institutions does little to develop and sustain a society of entrepreneurs. The 'one-shot' chance at an education of forgettable facts is largely useless to those who desire/must operate service businesses. But this harsh reality is not all bad; the author insists that there is a widespread 'hunger' for personal growth that will be a part of developing employability. Work that has a greater purpose will increasingly be sought. Does walking the dogs or trimming the grass of elites qualify?

This line of thinking also has ramifications within corporations. These newly 'inner-directed' employees will reject being regarded as 'human resources' or managed as some kind of business cost. They will settle for nothing less than being viewed as citizens of their companies with 'rights of residence, justice, free speech, a share of the wealth ', and a say in the governance of their [companies].' The author correctly acknowledges that the democratic reorganization of companies seems like a 'trade union manifesto,' which does not comport well with his expressed anti-union convictions. Other than through the insistence of these newly redirected employees, the author is unclear as to how the major redistribution of power that will be required to establish 'companies of citizens' will occur. Of course, the compelling question is why the author is concerned about businesses as communities. Properly selfish, self-employed, citizens no longer need to work for corporations, right?

Despite the fact that the author generally regards laissez-faire economics as troublesome for the greater society, he seems unwilling to advocate for political processes to exert much control over its excesses. In fact, he suggests that major issues are best decided outside the political process beyond the level of the nation-state by pressures from global markets or by international economic (WTO) and military alliances. Citizens/voters should confine themselves to local issues of roads and schools and police and hospitals. This minimalist view of politics and government is hardly adequate to address the effects of the 'bottom line' thinking of modern capitalism for which the author expresses concern. The revamping of educational systems to include life-long learning with replacement income during schooling and the restructuring of corporations will require greater, not lesser, political intervention.

As a critique of capitalistic society, this book is marginal at best. The author's focus on the drive for money and the workings of market forces doesn't begin to explain the structure of capitalistic societies. Absent are virtually any descriptions of the power structures in society and, most importantly, the domination of contemporary culture and the control of information by media empires. It is clear that the author has little appreciation for the profound role of citizen empowerment whether that is through the political process or such bodies as unions that will be necessary to counter the forces of modern capitalism. The idea that half of society becoming entrepreneurs trying to sell services to each other or to a layer of elites without significantly countering present economic forces will represent a general advancement for society is dubious at best. If anything, it seems a certain path for a First-World country to become a Second- or Third-World country.

In this book, Charles Handy lays out a thoughtful philosophy of how we should shape capitalism if we want to lead more meaningful lives.

This is yet another reminder that communities have to form around some larger purpose than mere economic exchange.

His references to the British think tank Demos is particularly interesting.

Mr Handy has some very thought provoking ideas about capitalism, work and meaning of life. It was his 'Personal Preface' that attracted me to buy the book. As he said in the conclusion, "Life without hope is dismal."; I wanted to find out what he meant. In Part A of the book he talks about the impact of capitalism on the capitalist society . He explores the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the marketplace and competition. It is in Part B where the main substance of the book is. It is about the self and how individuals should respond. He profiles the changing world of work over the years and its impact on individuals. In reading the section on self-knowledge and self-awareness, I found the 'obituary exercise' took a new meaning in the context of what I had read; although I had done this exercise several times previously. Learning to live with others and discovering connectivity with society is an important aspect of living. This is very vividly brought out by Mr Handy. It is here I found hope that we could live more meaningful lifes. In Part C, there are some possible solutions to the dilemmas we face. It is in this part, Mr Handy elaborates on the 7 cardinal principles of trust. In the context of career management, the idea of of a school for life and work is a valuable concept. His chapter on the role of government mentions about the I's - information, involvement, individuality and infrastructure. He concludes in the epilogue with seven trends and indicators for the future. I would consider the book as required reading for anyone who wants to add value or meaning to their life, actively contribute to society or is interested in people. Unknown to us, I think all us have a 'Hungry Spirit' within us. Mr Handy's book may meet some of this hunger!

Like Ruth Benedict, van Wolferen wrote a seminal book on Japan and Japanese culture. Benedict did so without ever having lived in Japan or knowing the Japanese language, as part of US wartime planning for the eventual occupation of Japan. Wolferen had the benefit of living in Japan for 20 years as a journalist, although he is said, enigmatically, to have never learned to read or write Japanese. The fact that in spite of this wilfull ignorance he has written a book that seems to have hit upon some very cogent insights into Japanese culture and politics is a tribute to his native intelligence and perceptiveness. His book, like Benedict's, is must reading for anyone interested in understanding the Japanese, but one must wonder how much credibility Americans would give a book about American culture and politics written by a journalist who had lived in the US for 20 years without learning to speak or read English!

5 stars for insight, minus 2 stars for wilfull ignorance.

This is a wonderful book and powerful argument that, at its center, no one in Japan is really in control and no one can be. Taking a long view of history, van Wolferen does a better job at demolishing Japanese myths and pretenses than most other writers. I read this book when I had just arrived in Japan in 1990 - when Japan was in the ascendant with an asset bubble that was far greater than the US one that just burst - and was enthralled and repelled from page one to the very end. Once I understood what he was saying, I saw how much it explained that hitherto I had found completely unfathomable.

Unfortunately, read at one go, it sounds excessively negative and pessimistic: the Japanese appear feckless and weak, unable to rise above a history of division and obfuscation, etc. Even worse, as subsequent events have borne out, it appears truer than ever. Van Wolferen weathered extremely bitter attacks and smears because of this book. All I can say is, for many who have never lived in Japan, the bitterness of foreign residents towards that myserious country is a puzzle to them: they wonder if it can really be "that bad," if the attacks and vitriol are "racist" and the like. To his credit, though he finds little to admire, van Wolferen never lets the tone of this book descend to the level of polemic.

While dated now - van Wolferen fretted that the Japanese juggernaut would take over the entire world economy - it is still a great read. Get it, if you are interested in Japan. You must know the argument, even if you stridently disagree.

Enigma deserves all the praise you may read in this forum. Karl van Wolferen brings his extensive experience and keen insight to blow way the perfumed-scented, silk-screen interpretations offered up by the Reischauers, the Jansens and the Vogels. I have lived in Japan for seven years, have studied her language, her people, her history and culture and truly no explanation of Japan even approaches this work.

It is interesting that while Japanese propagandists and apologists have always attacked revisionist works on Japan (and their authors), they have largely ignored Enigma. Witness the controversy surrounding Changfs Rape of Nanking and, earlier, the total ruination visited upon Berkowitz. I suppose they have no effective counters to the arguments put forth by van Wolferen and hope that the book will just go way.

For anyone who is interested in learning about how Japan really works this book is an excellent place to start. For those who dont know the people of Japan, it could lend itself to a misinterpretation: most Japanese that I know are acutely aware of the failings in their society and are none too happy with them. However, they see little opportunity for change. As Patrick Smith has observed, theirs is a life of desire with out hope. It is the system that is the problem.