The Age of the Economist

by Daniel R. Fusfeld

Written especially for students with a limited background in economics, this book explains how a market economy functions through an historical overview of economics. It discusses the major schools of economic thought and ideas of the leading economists of each period. Updated throughout, the book emphasizes the relationship between economic theory and policy, and how both are influenced by events, ideologies and changing economic institutions. The author places particular emphasis on Adam Smith, classical and neoclassical economics, Marx, Keynes and the heterodox writers and the political economy of recent decades. It takes a balanced approach to economic theories, and covers contemporary issues such as unemployment, inflation and growth.

Genres: Economics

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great concise overview of the history economic thought. If you want a decent and lucid primer on the history of economic thought, this is the place to start. It summaries the most important positions of economists and places them in their historical settings.

[James]

Surveying the history of economics from Adam Smith's day to the 1990s for those with interest but not expertise in the field, Rusfeld (U. of Michigan) explores the ideas and events which shaped competing economic theories over the past 200 years: e.g., Marxism, women and the economy, the Keynesian r

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times in this book that I thought Fusfeld was getting a little too editorial, but maybe there’s no other way to tell history—sooner or later, your stance or opinions creep in, and that is only human. All in all, I think he did a pretty good job. I definitely learned a lot and thought about the development of economic thought in a new way.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A digestible overview of the history of economic thought, putting economic theories in their social and political contexts, unfortunately it only went to 2001. Should be mandatory reading for economics students.

[áxel márquez carrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

del 1966. de los libros que leí cuando me quedé sin celular. buen repaso. en los capítulos sobre el comunismo saca el peine, pero todo bien, es un libro de 3,000 palabras y de hojas recicladas. está bueno para regalarlo a quienes piensan que Economía es ser 1. o muy chairo 2. o muy financiero

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much broader and ideologically contextualized than what you'd usually encounter in such a work (from Aquinas to Horatio Alger, NSC-68, liberation theology and Alan Greenspan).

[Jakob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didnt really feel it

[Animesh Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elementary book on the history of economic thought.

[Adrian Colesberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a text for college classes that I found difficult but educational. I read it before reading Wealth of Nations, thinking that I'd benefit from an introduction. I ended up finding Smith a much easier read than this, but maybe that's because I read this first.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic overview of history of economic thought. Would recommend to anyone without a background in economics. For a more scholarly and detailed discussion turn to A History of Economic Theory and Method by Robert B. Ekelund Jr. and Robert F. Hebert.

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative overview of economic policies that is relatively clear and easy to understand.