Economic Concepts for the Social Sciences

The primary purpose of this book is to present some of the key economic concepts that have guided economic thinking in the last century and to identify which of these concepts will continue to direct economic thought in the coming decades. This book is written in an accessible manner and is intended for a wide audience with little or no formal training in economics. It should also interest economists who want to reflect on the direction of the discipline and to learn concepts and achievements in other subfields. The author imparts his enthusiasm for the economic way of reasoning and its wide applicability. Through the abundant use of illustrations and examples, the author makes concepts understandable and relevant. Topics covered include game theory, the new institutional economics, market failures, asymmetric information, endogenous growth theory, general equilibrium, rational expectations, and others.

• Complete range of basic concepts in economics made accessible for broad audience • Uses numerous, timely examples and is free of an ideological standpoint • Author has written or edited 15 other books, including 3 for Cambridge University Press

1. Economics without apology; 2. Back to the future; 3. In another’s shoes: games, strategies, and economics; 4. It takes two or more: public economics and collective action; 5. Government for the politician? Public and social choice; 6. Institutions matter: the new institutional economics; 7. Knowledge is power: the new institutional economics; 8. Everything ties together: general equilibrium; 9. Laboratory economics: of rats and men; 10. Before yesterday and beyond tomorrow: intergenerational economics; 11. Fish, space, and spaceship earth: bioeconomics and interdisciplinary economics; 12. Crystal ball economics: rational expectations; 13. How do we get there from here?: transitional economies and policy reforms; 14. Economic growth: endogeneity, institutions and other concepts; 15. Economic visions for future horizons.