Description
Book SynopsisWhen Lord Harris of High Cross (Ralph Harris) died in October 2006, at the age of 81, the tributes to him described him as one of the 'men who changed Britain'. Friends and opponents alike acknowledged that Ralph, in his role as General Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and in partnership with his friend, Arthur Seldon, had been instrumental in providing the ideas and the intellectual entrepreneurship that sparked the 'Thatcher revolution' of the 1980s, transforming the British economy from one of the worst performers among developed countries to one of the best.
This book selects from Ralph's considerable opus, revealing that economics need not always be a 'dismal science'. Economic analysis was, in the hands of Ralph Harris, deployed to great effect in plain language and with a wit and wisdom that made it fun.
Colin Robinson's Introduction places Ralph Harris' work in context and provides an invaluable insight into the author's beliefs and personality.
Ralph Harris in His Own Words will be warmly welcomed and read by academics and researchers of economics, politics and the history of ideas as well as those interested in the work of the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Table of ContentsContents: Foreword Lord Howe of Aberavon Editor’s Introduction Colin Robinson PART I: PAPERS ON IEA-RELATED ACTIVITIES Living with Arthur Watch Out for the ‘Peter Principle’ Who Invented Buckingham? An Independent Station Now for ‘Planning’ Market versus State Behind Enemy Lines PART II: PAPERS ON MARKETS AND FREEDOM Adam Smith: Revolutionary for the Third Millenium Hayek: The Arch Radical Reactionary? The Challenge of a Radical Reactionary Morality and Markets: Gospel of an Economist No, Prime Minister! Ralph Harris Against the Consensus PART III: HOUSE OF LORDS SPEECHES No, Minister! (Early House of Lords Speeches, 1981–1984) House of Lords Speeches, 1984–2004 PART IV: SELECTED OBITUARIES The Times The Daily Telegraph The Economist The Independent The Financial Times Index
