How to Argue with an Economist

Lindy Edwards is a former economic adviser in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, a Press Gallery Journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Senior Economic Advisor to the then Leader of the Australian Democrats Natasha Stott Despoja.

• Part I. A Historical Juncture: 1. A political impasse; 2. A nation-defining choice; 3. Economic rationalism's grip on power; Part II. Getting a Handle on Economics: 4. Is economics a science?; 5. Key ideas in economics; Part III. Revealing Economic Rationalism's Worldview: 6. 'Punters' versus 'economic rationalists'; 7. Contrasting views of human nature; 8. Contrasting views of how society works; 9. Contrasting views of the ideal society; 10. Economic policy and culture; Part IV. Arguing with an Economic Rationalist: 11. How to argue with an economic rationalist; 12. Reclaiming responsibility; 13. Arguing about economic efficiency; 14. Arguing about quality of life; 15. Arguing about justice; Part V. The Future: 16. The way forward; 17. Making sure 'she'll be right'.

'This excellent book deserves to be widely read … it sympathetically and seriously engages both economists and their critics … combines passionate argument with generosity and fairmindedness.' Paul Oslington, UNSW