Description
Book SynopsisThis text critiques some of our most cherished stories of market failure. Economists have used these colorful myths to justify a wide range of public policy interventions in the economy. It is concluded that economic analysis of market efficiency should rely on systematic analysis, not anecdotes.
Trade Review"This book is important for understanding how economic principles can be applied to real-world problems. Professor Spulber discusses nine important myths that are often cited in the economics profession. These myths have important lessons for a number of current policy issues such as the Microsoft case, the supposed superiority of Betamax over VHS and the supposed current stock market bubble."
Jack Carr, University of Toronto. "Famous Fables of Economics is a welcome addition. Students will learn that fables and myths should not be accepted at face value. More importantly, they will see how economics can be used to challenge these myths. The book will prove useful in an array of courses, especially those that deal with policy issues." Roger D Blair, University of Florida.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements.
Introduction: Economic Fables and Public Policy: Daniel F. Spulber.
1. The Lighthouse in Economics: Ronald H. Coase.
2. The Voluntary Provision of Public Goods? The Turnpike Companies of Early America: Daniel B. Klein.
3. The Fable of the Bees: An Economic Investigation: Steven N. S. Cheung.
4. The Fable of the Keys: Stan J. Liebowitz, and Stephen E. Margolis.
5. Beta, Macintosh, and Other Fabulous Tales: Stan J. Liebowitz and Stephen E. Margolis.
6. Delivering Coal by Road and Rail in Britain: The Efficiency of the "Silly Little Bobtailed Wagons": Va Nee L. Van Vleck.
7. The Acquisition of Fisher Body by General Motors: Ronald H. Coase.
8. The Fable of Fisher Body: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Daniel F. Spulber.
9. Sharecropping: Steven N. S. Cheung.
10. Predatory Price Cutting: The Standard Oil (N.J.) Case: John S. McGee.
11. Another Look at Alcoa: Raising Rivals' Costs Does Not Improve the View: John E. Lopatka and Paul E. Godek.
12. How Much Did the Liberty Shipbuilders Learn? New Evidence for an Old Case Study: Peter Thompson.
13. Financial Legends: The Economist.
Index.
