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Mindful Economics: How the U.S. Economy Works, Why it Matters, and How it Could Be Different
Are the huge profits garnered by corporations each year a case of a few bad apples in the business world taking advantage of unmonitored dealings? Is this consolidation of wealth made at the expense of the overall economy and the wellbeing of the average citizen? Will the planet be saved by developing more "green businesses" and "green collar" jobs? Joel Magnuson delivers...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
September 2nd 2008
by Seven Stories Press
(first published September 1st 2008)
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I wrote a review of this or Democracy Unlimited's (http://www.duhc.org) email list, which I figured I would share here
Mindful Economics in many ways is an introductory economics text. But don't be scared by that! Because if you are one of the many who have been trying to understand exactly what our economy is made of, and how all these complex pieces fit together to create both the benefits of our current economy and the mess it currently has us in, this is the right book.
Magnuson takes a syste...more
Mindful Economics in many ways is an introductory economics text. But don't be scared by that! Because if you are one of the many who have been trying to understand exactly what our economy is made of, and how all these complex pieces fit together to create both the benefits of our current economy and the mess it currently has us in, this is the right book.
Magnuson takes a syste...more
What I like about Professor Magnuson's writing is that he is able to explain things clearly and concisely. I have had him for an Institutional Economics class at Portland State University and this was one of the texts we used (way to earn yourself a few more sales Joel!). Not only was it informative, but provided a good basis of knowledge on which to discuss more in depth topics. His teaching style is just as flowing as his writing. If you are curious about the U.S. economic system, you could do...more
Aug 07, 2011
John
marked it as to-read
Helpful book on the basic structure of the US (and global) economy. Good points for me are the chapter on the banking system, and the emphasis on the structural imperative for growth and its inevitable conflict with resource limits (Daly's "Beyond Growth" explores this at greater depth). The author locates the source of many of the evils he identifies in absentee ownership of the means of production, i.e. in capitalism, and in his suggestions for the future he focuses a lot on changing articles...more
Simultaneously a fairly comprehensive and clearly presented introduction to the basic institutions and functions of the American economy and a strong critique of capitalism. Capitalism is structurally dependent on unsustainable growth and continually distributes wealth upward to an elite investor class at the expense of the majority of human beings and the environment. Magnuson's basic thesis is that the separation of production and consumption, and the separation of ownership and work are the k...more
Wow! What a great book! The author first gives a great introduction to economics, specifically capitalism, as that's the system that's currently screwing everything up here in the States.
After the economic primer (which I found interesting even though I had taken several classes in economics as an undergrad, so some of this was review) Magnuson outlines how capitalism in the US has lead to financial instability, economic inequality, and runaway growth. He argues that these aren't random product...more
After the economic primer (which I found interesting even though I had taken several classes in economics as an undergrad, so some of this was review) Magnuson outlines how capitalism in the US has lead to financial instability, economic inequality, and runaway growth. He argues that these aren't random product...more
This is one of the most important (non-fiction) books I have read in a long time. I learned a lot about economics and how it relates to our lives and culture. I am going to buy several copies of this book and distribute them on bookcrossing.com to help spread the word.
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Jan 30, 2009
Adam
is currently reading it
I don't have a firm grasp on economics, and this tome promises to remedy my ignorance.
He's my professor, so I may be bias ;) Can't wait to read this.
A thorough modern explanation of the US economy.
I gave this a one star rating not because it was a poor book to read but because it didn't interest me.
May 03, 2013
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