The Cult of the Market: Economic Fundamentalism and Its Discontents"'The Cult of the Market: Economic Fundamentalism and its Discontents' disputes the practical value of the shallow, all-encompassing, dogmatic, economic fundamentalism espoused by policy elites in recent public policy debates, along with their gross simplifications and sacred rules. Economics cannot provide a convincing overarching theory of government action or of social action more generally. Furthermore, mainstream economics fails to get to grips with the economic system as it actually operates. It advocates a more overtly experimental, eclectic and pragmatic approach to policy development which takes more seriously the complex, interdependent, evolving nature of society and the economy. Importantly, it is an outlook that recognises the pervasive influence of asymmetries of wealth, power and information on bargaining power and prospects throughout society. The book advocates a major reform of the teaching of economics"--Provided by publisher. |
From inside the book
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Page ix
... knowledge. This is consistent with the popular use of the term 'mumbo jumbo', in which technical language is used to enhance the authority of the user and to render his or her claims less susceptible to public scrutiny. Indeed, it has ...
... knowledge. This is consistent with the popular use of the term 'mumbo jumbo', in which technical language is used to enhance the authority of the user and to render his or her claims less susceptible to public scrutiny. Indeed, it has ...
Page x
... knowledge of, or when they try to rationalise decisions or justify opinions—that is, they invent stories that they recite with complete conviction, seeming to believe what they say.4 Some neuroscientists believe that we confabulate all ...
... knowledge of, or when they try to rationalise decisions or justify opinions—that is, they invent stories that they recite with complete conviction, seeming to believe what they say.4 Some neuroscientists believe that we confabulate all ...
Page xi
... knowledge. It points to the dissolution of the modern world-view and the false certainty that comes with it. There is no certain knowledge and such knowledge as we possess is constructed socially from a particular point of view. Chapter ...
... knowledge. It points to the dissolution of the modern world-view and the false certainty that comes with it. There is no certain knowledge and such knowledge as we possess is constructed socially from a particular point of view. Chapter ...
Page xiii
... knowledge, time and books, and has been a source of constant encouragement and stimulus. I am also grateful for the encouragement and friendship of the late Professor Peter Self. Numerous others have encouraged me in this task. These ...
... knowledge, time and books, and has been a source of constant encouragement and stimulus. I am also grateful for the encouragement and friendship of the late Professor Peter Self. Numerous others have encouraged me in this task. These ...
Page 3
... knowledge. Since economic development is heavily dependent on knowledge processes—and since it is generally conceded that knowledge has many of the properties of a public good—government involvement would appear to be central to many ...
... knowledge. Since economic development is heavily dependent on knowledge processes—and since it is generally conceded that knowledge has many of the properties of a public good—government involvement would appear to be central to many ...
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The Cult of the Market: Economic Fundamentalism and Its Discontents Lee Boldeman No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
action activity analysis approach argues associated assumed assumptions attempt Australian authority basis become behaviour belief Chapter choices claim competition complex concept concern conduct Consequently contemporary contract course created critical culture decisions described disciplines distinction doctrine dominant economic fundamentalism economists effect empirical Enlightenment example existence experience explain fact freedom fundamental historical human idea important Importantly individual influence institutions interests involved justify knowledge language leading limited live logical mathematical means mechanical metaphor moral natural neoclassical economics normative objective organisation particular philosopher physical political positive possible practical principles problems production question rational reality reason recent reflected relationships religious result role rules scientific seen sense shared simply social society stories structure suggests tells theoretical theory things thought tradition truth undermined understanding universal values
Popular passages
Page 123 - As every individual, therefore, endeavours as much as he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry, and so to direct that industry that its produce may be of the greatest value ; every individual necessarily labours to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he con.
Page 63 - In such condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, and consequently no culture of the earth, no navigation nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea, no commodious building, no instruments of moving and removing such things as require much force, no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time, no arts, no letters, no society, and, which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death, and the life of man solitary, poor, nasty,...
Page 43 - Language disguises thought. So much so, that from the outward form of the clothing it is impossible to infer the form of the thought beneath it, because the outward form of the clothing is not designed to reveal the form of the body, but for entirely different purposes. The tacit conventions on which the understanding of everyday language depends are enormously complicated.
Page 42 - The Western conception of the person as a bounded, unique, more or less integrated motivational and cognitive universe, a dynamic center of awareness, emotion, judgment, and action organized into a distinctive whole and set contrastively both against other such wholes and against its social and natural background...
Page 86 - The mode of production in material life determines the general character of the social, political and spiritual processes of life. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but, on the contrary, their social existence determines their consciousness.
Page 182 - In every system of morality which I have hitherto met with, I have always remarked that the author proceeds for some time in the ordinary way of reasoning, and establishes the being of a God, or makes observations concerning human affairs ; when of a sudden I am surprised to find that instead of the usual copulations of propositions is and is not, I meet with no proposition that is not connected with an ought or an ought not.
Page 123 - By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry, he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention, v Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it.
Page 115 - The wise and virtuous man is, at all times, willing that his own private interest should be sacrificed to the public interest of his own particular order or society.
Page ix - Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back.
Page 103 - How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it.