ECONOMICS VERSUS REALITY: HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE REAL WORLD IN SPITE OF ECONOMIC THEORY
Book ID/图书代码： 13149015B85863
English Summary/英文概要： John M. Legge shows the many ways in which the real world diverges from economics textbooks. He argues that mainstream economic theory took a disastrous turn 140 years ago, when it attempted to use calculus to explain human behavior. A real economy involves people who are not variables in equations. This error led to a second, mainstream economics becoming obsessed with equilibrium. However, constant change is the reality and one cannot explain the present without understanding the path taken to get here.
This book presents economics in historical context. It includes a short account of the contributions by some of the key figures in economic theory, starting with Adam Smith. Smith placed great weight on morality: he believed that economic activity took place in a society and could not be justified except insofar as it advanced the interests of that society. Too many economists have come to believe that the interests of society can be measured by a number: that if a policy change raises GDP it is justified, whatever its impact on people.
Legge places the economy within society, and society within the environment, explaining that every significant decision has a social and environmental impact, as well as an economic dimension. Seeking to provide answers to students, professional business managers, and those interested in the political process, this work addresses the gap between theory and reality.
Chinese Summary/中文概要： John M. Legge通过本书告诉读者，现实世界在诸多方面都与经济学教科书中的理论背道而驰。他认为，主流经济学理论在140年前试图用微积分解释人类行为时便遇到了灾难性的转折。现实经济中包含了人类，而他们并非公式里的变量。这一错误导致了另一个主流经济学错误，即过分沉迷于平衡。实际上，现实在不断变化，必须理解其发展历程才能解释当前的现象。
本书将经济学置于历史背景下进行研究。本书从亚当斯密开始，简要介绍了经济学理论的关键人物所做出的贡献。亚当斯密认为道德非常重要：他坚信，社会中发生的经济活动只有对社会利益具有推动作用时才具有意义。太多经济学家认为社会利益可以通过数据来衡量，比如：能够提高GDP的政策改变就是合理的，而不论其对人类会造成怎样的冲击。
Legge将经济置于社会之中，又将社会置于环境之中，他认为，每个重要决定都会对社会和环境造成影响。本书强调了理论与现实之间的差距，试图为那些对政治过程感兴趣的学生、专业企业经理等提供答案。（LYR）
Awards/获奖情况：“本书将教授你一切教科书中学不到的知识。全书从一个工程师的实际视角出发，深入浅出地介绍了经济学大师们的理论，包括斯密、李嘉图、凯恩斯、凡勃仑、熊彼特等。全书行文优美、内容广博，值得一读。”——James Galbraith，德克萨斯州大学奥斯汀分校
“Everything you needed to learn but that your textbook left out. Economics versus Reality presents the great thinkers, including Smith, Ricardo Marx, Keynes, Veblen and Schumpeter among many others, in depth, in down-to-earth language, and from the practical perspective of an engineer. Beautifully composed, erudite and indispensable.”— James Galbraith, University of Texas at Austin
“John’s book challenges ubiquitous textbook ‘truths’ about the invisible mechanisms ruling the real world. Historical narrative and practical examples clearly demonstrate that businesses turning to fairy theories instead of understanding broader reasons for success will fail. On a global scale things are even more confusing: when the best IPO is made by Alibaba, the US comedian Jon Stewart comments that “the Communists have beaten us up at Capitalism.” When a run-down Australian shed costs more than a French castle, one wonders if it’s really a battle between imaginary supply and demand. Confused even more? You should be. Read the book.”
— Max Kraynov, founder and CEO, JetRadar Inc.
About the Author/作者介绍： John M. Legge在过去的25年里一直从事创新及创业教学工作。此前，他在工程及计算机行业从事市场及战略规划工作。John M. Legge has taught innovation and entrepreneurship for the last twenty-five years. Previously, he worked in the engineering and computer industries in marketing and strategic planning.
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