ISIL Freedom Network: Global > Scholarly and In-Depth Studies > General Economic Theory

Price Theory: An Intermediate Text
Source: South-Western Publishing Co.
Author: David Friedman
Country: United States

"One defect of many economics textbooks, especially at the elementary level, is that they teach you about economics instead of teaching you economics." This book makes it clear that knowledge of economics can actually be useful.

The Principles of Political Economy
Source: McMaster University Dept. of Economics
Author: John Stuart Mill
City: Hamilton, Country: Canada

Covers five central economic topics: production, distribution, exchange, influence of the progress of society, and the influence of government. This version is fully marked-up with an HTML table of contents.

The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation
Source: McMaster University Dept. of Economics
Author: David Ricardo
City: Hamilton, Country: Canada

Government interference is bad for the economy. David Ricardo was sensible enough to realize this way back in 1817.

Effort, Opportunity, and Wealth: Some Economics of the Human Spirit
Source: University of Maryland
Author: Julian L. Simon
City: College Park, State: MD, Country: United States

What Is Efficient?
Source: David D. Friedman
Author: David D. Friedman
Country: United States
E-mail: DDFr@best.com

From Friedman's "Price Theory: An Intermediate Text," this graph-loaded chapter explains why and when market outcomes are efficient. This is the basic stuff of how markets work, folks, from someone who understood it before he knew how to tie his own shoelaces.

Understanding Democracy: An Introduction to Public Choice
Source: Nomad Press
Author: J. Patrick Gunning
Country: United States
E-mail: gunning@cc.nchulc.edu.tw

A textbook introduction to the public choice school of economics and its revolutionary view of how democracies function.

Capitalism: A Treatise on Economics, ch. 20
Source: The Jefferson School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Economics
Author: George Reisman
Country: United States
E-mail: capitalism@free-market.net

Chapter 20 to George Reisman's magnum opus is titled, "Toward the Establishment of Laissez Faire Capitalism."

Capitalism: A Treatise on Economics, ch. 1
Source: The Jefferson School of Philosophy, Economics, and Psychology
Author: George Reisman
Country: United States
E-mail: capitalism@free-market.net

Chapter 1 to Reisman's magnum opus is called, fittingly, "Economics and Capitalism."

Life, liberty and the pursuit of wealth
Source: Centre for Independent Studies/Policy
Author: Jason Soon
Country: United States

Using a wealth-maximization approach, the author discusses voluntary exchange as a right. (1998)

Il ridistributore: Machiavelli for parliamentarians in welfare democracies
Source: Centre for Independent Studies/Policy
Country: Australia

Public Choice theory demonstrates that the welfare state will inevitably be used to purchase votes in democratic countries. (Adobe Acrobat plugin required) (Winter, 1999)

'Christian' economics
Source: Acton Institute
Author: Francis Woehrling
Country: United States

"This article assesses the relevance of the Christian faith for economics. It argues that faith in the Trinity provides the basic pattern for the market system -- a system that puts radically different and independent agents into a positive and fruitful relationship." (Fall, 2001)

Toward an understanding of the global market system: a new perspective for economics
Source: Theory and Science
City: Hannover, Country: Germany
E-mail: RolfSchroeder.H@t-online.de

New light on the development of consumer behavior as reflected in different branches of neo-classical theory.

The new wealth of nations
Source: Centre for Independent Studies/Policy
Country: United States

Around the world, welfare states are collapsing because of the growth of prosperous, dynamic societies. (1997/98)

Hayekian interpretations: A debate over 'the Asian way' and modern liberalism
Source: Centre for Independent Studies/Policy
Author: David Moore and Chandran Kukathas
Country: United States

The authors debate over the proper response to Asian autocrats and their opponents from a Hayekian perspective. (Adobe Acrobat file) (Summer, 2000)

Understanding supply-side economics: the principles, the policies, the future
Source: Small Business Survival Committee
Author: Raymond J. Keating
Country: United States
E-mail: rkeat614@aol.com

"While Keynesian economics largely concerns itself with government attempts at fine-tuning demand and the economy, supply-side emphasizes individual economic decision-making and how government policies impact those decisions." Learn more about the basics of supply-side economics. In Adobe Acrobat. (05/01)

The Asian tale, twice told
Source: Centre for Independent Studies
Author: Jesus P. Estanislao, George N. Manzano and Gloria O. Pasadilla
Country: United States

The still-simmering Asian crisis revealed deep flaws in regional economies that need to be addressed by home-grown reforms in the direction of openness and liberalization. (Adobe Acrobat file) (5/00)

The entrepreneurial vocation
Source: Acton Institute/Markets & Morality
Author: Rev. Robert A. Sirico
Country: United States

"[E]ntrepreneurs are frequently depicted as greedy, immoral, and cutthroat. ... But such criticisms ... fail to acknowledge the implicit spiritual dimension of enterprise, seen particularly in terms of the entrepreneur's creative ability to imagine new possibilities, to maintain a proper concept of stewardship, and to cultivate the earth to harness its potential." (Spring, 2000)

Grand theft auto: The immorality of business subsidies
Source: Acton Institute/Markets & Morality
Author: Prof. Paul A. Cleveland
Country: United States

"[T]here is good historical evidence to suggest that government subsidies, in fact, have disastrous economic consequences. Subsidies tend to divert business decision makers from the development of their core businesses to competing for government dollars. Finally, a good case can also be made that the practice of subsidizing business enterprise is morally suspect." (Spring, 2000)

Do corporations have any responsibility beyond making a profit?
Source: Acton Institute/Markets & Morality
Author: Prof. Norman P. Barry
Country: United States

"Profit is essential for the sort of ethics favored by business moralists. Believers in the extensive social responsibility of business end up socializing morality and, therefore, removing that element of individual responsibility necessary for all ethical conduct." (Spring, 2000)

Capitalism and its discontents: the Adam Smith address
Source: Hoover Institution
Author: Michael J. Boskin
Country: United States
E-mail: hoover@free-market.net

"The limited government capitalist model," writes Boskin, "once again under attack from those who would greatly expand the role of government, needs its defenders, as the alternative models have proven historically, intellectually, and practically bankrupt." (07/99)

The demand for and supply of assurance
Source: IEA
Author: Daniel B. Klein
Country: United States

"Consumers want products and services that are safe and of good quality. Corresponding to such demand is the demand for assurance, before the fact, that the quality and safety will be as promised. This demand for assurance creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to profit by providing assurance." (Adobe Acrobat) (March 2001)

Anti-liberalism 2000
Source: IEA
Author: David Henderson
Country: United States

"The notion that economic liberalism has now triumphed is mistaken. Anti-liberal forces and influences remain strong, and on some fronts they have gained ground." (9/28/00)

Multinational corporations: myths and facts
Source: Acton Institute
Author: Gary M. Quinlivan
Country: United States

"Critics of multinational corporations often profess to have a higher moral vision and to be pursuing a world with laudable goals of just wages and a clean environment. On the other hand, the extreme left conveniently ignores the socially destructive behavior of those economies that rely heavily on governmental regulations and state-operated monopolistic enterprises." (11/00)

The case against 'corporate social responsibility'
Source: CIS
Author: David Henderson
Country: United States

The doctrine of corporate social responsibility rests on a false view of the world. A general adherence to it will have damaging consequences for people in general, even though it may contribute to the profitability of individual businesses. (Adobe Acrobat) (08/01)

Capital Controls: a 'cure' worse than the problem?
Source: Institute of Economic Affairs
Author: Forrest Capie
Country: United Kingdom

Modern control of capital has been around since the 1930s. Professor Capie analyzes historical experience with capital controls and reviews the theory behind it in this document. Available for purchase or as a PDF file,

Employment tribunals
Source: IEA
Author: J. R. Shackleton
Country: United Kingdom

Employment Tribunals began life as industrial tribunals in the mid 1960s. Professor Shackleton examines the role of these tribunals and considers whether they can be justified in present day conditions or whether they are a "sixties leftover." (PDF file) (11/17/02)

Economic liberty
Source: Acton Institute
Author: Paul A. Cleveland
Country: United States

Many economists believe that economic liberty is essential to human progress. However, freedom is often viewed negatively by moralists who regard it as a license to oppress the poor. Is there a perspective that can reconcile the establishment of economic liberty within the framework of morality? (2001)

Fifty economic fallacies exposed
Source: IEA
Author: Geoffrey Wood
Country: United Kingdom

A collection of 50 columns by Geoffrey Wood which expose numerous common fallacies -- for example, about the supposed dangers of free trade, the abilities of governments to control the economy, the effects of government regulation, and establishing the "correct" rate at which to join the euro. (PDF file) (11/30/02)

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