The Spread of Economic Ideas [Paperback]

This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas.This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. The examination of the flow of ideas among economists and from economists to the public is followed by a discussion of the public policy use and abuse of these concepts.This book, first published in 1989, contains a spirited debate between eminent economists, journalists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. The examination of the flow of ideas among economists and from economists to the public is followed by a discussion of the public policy use and abuse of these concepts.This volume contains a spirited debate among eminent journalists, economists, and publishers about the spread of economic ideas. The interchange among the writers provides both the lay reader and the interested professional with fascinating insights into what happens behind the scenes in academia, publishing, and journalism. The first two sections of the book discuss the flow of ideas from economist to economist and from economists to the general public. The third part examines the use and abuse of economic ideas in policy formation, and the final section provides insights into the funding of ideas and the incentives to make economics more relevant.List of tables; List of figures; Preface; 1. An introduction to the spread of economic ideas A. W. Coats and David C. Colander; Part I. From Economist to Economist: 2. The state of economics: hopeless but not serious? Robert W. Clower; 3. The invisible hand of truth David C. Colander; 4. Faith, hope, and clarity Robert M. Solow; 5. How ideas spread among economists: examples from international economics Charles P. Kindleberger; 6. Journals, university presses, and the spread of ideas Colin Day; Part II. From Economists to the Lay Pulý