| Edition |
First U.S. edition. |
| Description |
ix, 292 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Contents |
The grossest domestic product -- The pursuit of happiness -- Provisioning the good life -- Unhealthy at any cost -- Risky business -- The time squeeze -- The greatest number -- The capacity question -- The longest run : sustainability -- Ancient -- When (or how) good went bad -- The housing, banking, finance, debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, unemployment, currency-- hell-of-a-mess crisis -- Building a Twenty-first-century economy of life, liberty, and happiness. |
| Summary |
"What's The Economy For, Anyway? is a thought-provoking, funny, readable, anti-ideological book based on the cult hit film of the same name. Here, scholars John de Graaf (author of Affluenza) and David Batker tackle thirteen touchstone economic issues and challenge readers to consider just what the point of our economy is. Emphasizing powerful American ideals such as working together, pragmatism, and equality for all, de Graaf and Batker set forth a simple, powerful goal for any economic system: the greatest good for the greatest number, over the longest run. Their vision will appeal to a wide array of readers across traditional silos. Drawing from this nation's rich economic history, the book shows that the good life in America is achieved when people and markets work together with an active government to create a better economy, one that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. Beginning by taking our fetish for GDP and shattering it, the chapters touch on quality of life, health, security, time management, worklife, leisure, social justice, and perhaps most important, sustainability. This sparkling, message-driven book is exactly what we need: a guide to what really matters, and how we can use the resources of our economy to make the world a better place"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Subject |
United States -- Economic conditions.
|
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Economic development -- United States.
|
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Happiness -- United States.
|
| Added Author |
Batker, David K.
|
| ISBN |
9781608195107 hardback $25.00 |
|
1608195104 hardback |
|
