Tackling pundits from across the political spectrum, this witty and sharp collection of essays on economics encompasses such topics as international trade, globalization, monetary policy, corporate downsizing, and more to educate readers about our national economy. When economics and ideology mix, the results often sound plausible, but in fact can be terribly wrong and lead to ill-conceived and sometimes dangerous economic policy. For several years, Paul Krugman, author of The Accidental Theorist and one of the most celebrated economists of the '90s, has been punching holes in fashionable ideas such as the logic of supply-side economics and the evils of globalization. The Accidental Theorist is a collection of Krugman's best published and unpublished essays that cover everything from the Asian financial crisis to inflation in America. Krugman's cause is neither left or right; rather it's the pursuit of clear thinking about economics that's unfettered by ideology. He writes, "But we should never be surprised when prominent people say foolish things about economics. The history of economic doctrines teaches us that the influence of an idea may have nothing to do with its quality--that an ideology can attract a devoted following, even come to control the corridors of power, without a shred of logic or evidence in its favor." If you've read and enjoyed Krugman's regular column for Slate , "The Dismal Science," or have admired his work in the New York Times , The Washington Monthly , and Foreign Affairs , you'll find that the The Accidental Theorist is a must read. The essays in this book reflect a clairvoyant and playful mind that's patient enough to unravel and simplify--not dumb down--the arcane and lofty ideas of economics to something that the rest of us can understand. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards Krugman brightens the "dismal science" of economics with this essay collection clarifying an array of topics from general monetary policy to downsizing to wealth inequality, liquidity, even economic "crank doctrines." Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. In Peddling Prosperity (1994), Krugman skewered economic shibboleths espoused by both the Left and the Right; the collected essays here both confirm his iconoclastic stance and demonstrate that economic prose needn't be dull. Culled mainly from the online magazine Slate , the pieces key off some topical event--headlines about downsizing, supply-side economics, or globalization of markets. Observing prominent people seemingly self-confidently expounding on such issues, Krugman likes to puncture their proclamations as the posturing of ignorance. In France, for example, socialists devoutly believe that the solution to that country's chronic unemployment is shortening work hours and increasing government handouts. It never works, and every economist agrees why. In America, an opposite article of faith for conservatives, that current tax rates stifle growth, doesn't explain the present boom. Krugman spices these 25 articles with pungent opinions and clearly explained principles that should enlighten those rightly skeptical of politicians' sound-bite assertions masquerading as economic facts. Gilbert Taylor Everything Mr. Krugman has to say is smart, important and even fun to read. . . . He is one of a handful of very bright, relatively young economists who do everything well. -- Peter Passell, New York Times Book Review Read this book. That may be a little dogmatic, not to say cliched. Nonetheless, it's good advice. Paul Krugman is opinionated and arrogant. He's also immensely clever and both able and willing to write about all manner of important issues with the perspective of an economist. -- Virginia Quarterly Review, Vol. 75, No. 1 [Paul Krugman is] probably the most creative economist of his generation. -- Economist Paul Krugman teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is the author of The Age of Diminished Expectations and Peddling Prosperity (Norton). In 1991 he won the John Bates Clark Medal, awarded every two years by the American Economic Association to the best American economist under forty. Krugman specializes in decidedly non-boring essays on economic topics....Supply-side economics, downsizing, globalization, the trade deficit, the growth potential of technology: There's no recent economic debate that Krugman won't weigh in on.