What Do Economists Contribute? - Paperback

by Daniel B. Klein (Author)

The title of this book raises a provocative question that should make all economists think. What is our raison d'etre ? Only a few economists have specifically addressed the issue. Several of the more challenging efforts are included here. Do economists have much influence on government policy, particularly over, say, five or ten years? Is that because they don't try hard enough or is it because politicians care more about the next election than about the opinion of economists? In this splendid collection, some published as long ago as the 1930s, nine great economists consider these questions. The editor's illuminating introduction sorts out the area of agreement and disagreement between them.

Author Biography

RONALD H. COASE Nobel Prize in Economic Science, 1991 FRANK D. GRAHAM (1890-1949) Professor of Economics at Princeton University until his death in 1949 FRIEDRICH A. HAYEK (1899-1992) Nobel Prize in Economic Science, 1974. Professor at LSE, 1931-49. Author of The Road to Serfdom WILLIAM H. HUTT (b.1899) Professor of Economics at Capetown University and Texas, A & M. Author of Economists and the Public ISRAEL M. KIRZNER (b.1930) Professor of Economics at New York University since 1957 DEIRDRE N. MCCLOSKEY (b.1942) Professor of Economics and of History at the University of Iowa CLARENCE PHILBROOK (1909-78) was Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina (1947-1975) THOMAS C. SCHELLING (b.1921) Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland and previously at Harvard GORDON TULLOCK Professor of Economics at the University of Arizona; editor of Public Choice for 25 years