Description
Book SynopsisComplexity science--made possible by modern analytical and computational advances--is changing the way we think about social systems and social theory. Unfortunately, economists' policy models have not kept up and are stuck in either a market fundamentalist or government control narrative. While these standard narratives are useful in some cases, t
Trade Review"Colander and Kupers reframe the standard public policy debate in terms of complexity theory and describe their approach as evolutionary... The authors provide a strong case that current positions, government control, and market fundamentalism are inadequate to addressing contemporary social problems... Recommended for public policy specialists who seek a qualitative introduction to complexity theory and its application to social issues."--Jennifer M. Miller, Library Journal "[G]roundbreaking."--Sam McNerney, 250 Words "[A]n inspiring new book... Colander and Kupers's book ought to be on every policy maker's reading list."--Mark Buchanan, Bloomberg View "Complexity and the Art of Public Policy is a milestone in the application of scientific knowledge to problem solving in the real world. If it is widely read and applied, it is not an exaggeration to say that the world will become a better place."--David Sloan Wilson, This View of Life "[I]deal for anyone with a serious interest in economics and public policy."--ValueWalk "This is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the potential of a complexity approach for public and economic policy... It is intellectually stimulating and might inspire new research and applications of social simulation as a policy modelling tool."--Flaminio Squazzoni, JASSS
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii PART I. THE COMPLEXITY FRAME FOR POLICY Chapter 1. Twin Peaks 3 Chapter 2. Government With, Not Versus, the Market 19 Chapter 3. I Pencil Revisited: Beyond Market Fundamentalism 31 Chapter 4. The Complexity Policy Frame 44 PART II. EXPLORING THE FOUNDATIONS Chapter 5. How Economics Lost the Complexity Vision 67 Chapter 6. How Macroeconomics Lost the Complexity Vision 89 Chapter 7. Complexity: A New Kind of Science? 109 Chapter 8: A New Kind of Complexity Economics? 131 Chapter 9. Nudging toward a Complexity Policy Frame 156 PART III. LAISSEZ-FAIRE ACTIVISM IN PRACTICE Chapter 10. The Economics of Influence 179 Chapter 11. Implementing Influence Policy 195 Chapter 12. Laissez-Faire Activism 214 Chapter 13. Getting the Ecostructure of Government Right 237 PART IV. THE LOST AGENDA Chapter 14. Getting the Ecostructure of Social Science Education Right 259 Chapter 15. The Lost Agenda 270 Notes 281 Bibliography 291 Index 301
