![\"Economics](\"http:\/\/www.uww.edu\/images\/library\/blog\/economics(0).jpg\")
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Economics Rules: the rights and wrongs of the dismal science<\/b><\/span> A work on economics hardly seems like one\u2019s first choice for summer reading, but browsing through this little book highlights very readable writing and compelling examples drawn from recent economics history. Rodrik\u2019s central thesis is that econ, with its plethora of mathematical models to explain every possible fluctuation, goes wrong when people \u2013 economists, politicians, or your average WSJ<\/em>-reader \u2013 assume that a favored model of the moment is THE model that should be applied in all situations.<\/p>\n For specifics, he points out why some very popular thought-models of economists \u2013 including that rent caps generally reduce the quantity and quality of housing, that import tariffs generally are a bad thing, and that the U.S. should not forbid employers from outsourcing jobs \u2013 can be true in some circumstances, and false in others.<\/p>\n The talk of mathematical models gone wrong reminds me of another recent read from our collection, Jordan Ellenberg\u2019s How not to be wrong<\/a>. Among other chapters, he highlights how, when considering a vexing question such as whether the U.S.\u2019s social net should try to be more or less like Sweden\u2019s<\/a>, politicians can draw very different conclusions depending on what mathematical model one applies to the situation. Preview his entertaining charts<\/a>\u00a0in Google Books here.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re of an economics or mathematical mind, either of these might provide a fun read to keep your mind engaged in the break before school starts!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Economics Rules: the rights and wrongs of the dismal science By Dani Rodrik HB75 .R5785 2015 New Arrivals Island, 2nd floor A work on economics hardly seems like one\u2019s first choice for summer reading, but browsing through this little book … Continue reading
\nBy Dani Rodrik
\nHB75 .R5785 2015<\/a>
\nNew Arrivals Island<\/b><\/span>, 2nd floor<\/p>\n