Προσθήκη στα αγαπημένα
Many economists argue that economic analysis should avoid the distributional consequences of policies. In democratic countries, however, the political power of individuals inevitably reflects their wealth and income. You cannot have a democracy when income and wealth distributions are greatly uneven. Monitoring the State or the Market explains that absolute income equality is not consistent with a market economy, yet neither is large inequality. This study provides a broad survey of major social and economic developments over the past two centuries, beginning with the Industrial Revolution and laissez faire and ending with neoliberalism and market fundamentalism. It explains how each of these periods initially brought moderation and accompanying benefits, showing that some countries, such as those in Scandinavia, have demonstrated that it is possible to have low Gini coefficients (low inequality), while preserving economic freedom and prosperity.
Part I.:
1. Introduction
2. Early views on the economic role of the state
3. Laissez faire and the industrial revolution
4. The Beginning of economic reforms
5. On resource allocation, optimality and equity
6. On beginning of changes in the activities of governments
7. Toward larger government roles
Part II.:
8. The Growing importance of equity and safety nets
9. The creation of welfare states
10. The conservative counterrevolution
11. Different approaches to social protection
12. The economy in the 1970s
Part III.:
13. A return to 'laissez faire'?
14. The policies of market fundamentalism: tax reforms, globalization and deregulation
15. The growing importance of monetary policy
16. Equity aspects of market fundamentalism
17. Other aspects of market fundamentalism
18. Cultural aspects of fundamentalism
19. Growing conflict between efficiency and equity
20. Intellectual property and venture capitalists
21. The world in the 21st century
22. Impact of new economic developments on market and democracy
23. More on economy and culture in the present time
24. Summing up and general conclusions.
Περιγραφή
Many economists argue that economic analysis should avoid the distributional consequences of policies. In democratic countries, however, the political power of individuals inevitably reflects their wealth and income. You cannot have a democracy when income and wealth distributions are greatly uneven. Monitoring the State or the Market explains that absolute income equality is not consistent with a market economy, yet neither is large inequality. This study provides a broad survey of major social and economic developments over the past two centuries, beginning with the Industrial Revolution and laissez faire and ending with neoliberalism and market fundamentalism. It explains how each of these periods initially brought moderation and accompanying benefits, showing that some countries, such as those in Scandinavia, have demonstrated that it is possible to have low Gini coefficients (low inequality), while preserving economic freedom and prosperity.
