Political Economy – The Contest of Economic Ideas, 3rd Edition

Blurb

The third edition of Political Economy: The Contest of Economic Ideas is a fully updated overview of the political economy and its connection with social concerns. This book investigates the main traditions of economic ideas and provides a 'big picture' overview of the analytical tools and value judgements associated with competing schools of economic thought. Political Economy features an engaging writing style which makes the complexities of contesting economic ideas - such as classical political economy and Marxist economics, neoclassical economies and neo-liberalism - clear and accessible. This is essential reading for those students and teachers interested in broadening their understanding of conventional political economics, and considering the coherent and constructive alternatives.

Comment from our editors:

This book provides a good introduction to the field of political economy and seems best suited for undergraduates and teachers. It gives a broad overview on current economic processes and problems, discusses economic systems and theories by proceeding from Classical Political Economy, via the critique of capitalism from a Marxist perspective to the establishment of the ideology of the market through neoclassical economics. The introductory text finishes with chapters on institutional and Keynesian economics as well as an appraisal of Modern Political Economy. A definite plus is the accessible writing style for a wider audience (potentially beyond the academic context) and its capability to break down complex economic ideas and their relationship with political ideologies.