This 1995 volume views important social and political issues through the eyes of economists. Pioneered by Gary Becker, this approach asserts that all actions, whether working, playing, dating, or mating, have economic motivations and consequences, and can be analysed using economic reasoning. Intended as an introduction to the current state of the field, the essays are informal and non-technical, while still using up-to-date economic reasoning to illuminate such topics as crime, marriage, discrimination, immigration, fads and fashions. The expanding domain of economics is illustrated, as problems from sociology, political science, anthropology, and public policy are all included in this Beckerian view: the world of human interaction, as seen by an economist.
• First volume to address the effects of applying Beckerian theory to all areas of social and political activity • Essays are informal and non-technical, acting as an introduction to the current state of the field • Brings economics to bear on a wide range of issues including sex 'n' drugs 'n' rock 'n'roll!
Contents
Introduction Kathryn Ierulli, Edward L. Glaeser and Mariano Tommasi; Part I. Discrimination and Immigration: 1. The economics of discrimination: a primer Barry R. Chiswick; 2. The economic analysis of immigration George J. Borjas; Part II. Crime, Punishment and Rights: 3. Rational criminals and profit maximising police: the economic analysis of law enforcemen David Friedman; 4. Property rights in children James S. Coleman; Part III. All in the Family: 5. Human capital, fertility and economic growth Robert Tamura; 6. Marriage market models Shoshana Grossbard-Shechtman; 7. The marriage premium Kermit Daniel; Part IV. Government and Politics: 8. The process of government Edgardo Enrique Zablotsky; 9. The economic approach to democracy John G. Matsusaka; Part V. Health, Religion and Mass Behaviour: 10. The economic approach to addictive behavior Michael Grossman; 11. Household production, human capital, and the economics of religion Laurence R. Iannaccone; 12. The blind leading the blind: social influences, fads, and informational cascades David Hirshleifer; 13. Public health and economic epidemiology Tomas Philipson.
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