John Komlos, What Every Economics Student Needs to Know, and Doesn’t Get in the Usual Principles Text

Book Revie

THE EFFECT OF DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, VITAMIN D, WEALTH, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY ON TUBERCULOSIS MORTALITY: THE CASE OF THE 19TH CENTURY US

Tuberculosis remains a major cause of international mortality, and researchers and policy advocates continue to seek a cost effective prevention and treatment. To better understand the current dilemma, this paper considers the physical and material environments associated with 19th century US tuberculosis mortality. Vitamin D was an historical remedy for tuberculosis, and sunlight-the primary source of vitamin D production and time of year-are documented here to have been associated with lower tuberculosis mortality rates. Occupations were also related with the physical environment and tuberculosis mortality, and workers in outdoor occupations, such as farmers and unskilled workers, were less likely than workers in other occupations to die from tuberculosis. Absolute wealth and agricultural productivity were associated with the likelihood of dying from tuberculosis, and people who lived in high wealth and low agriculturally productive states were less likely to die from tuberculosis.19th Century US Tuberculosis Mortality, Insolation, Wealth, Agricultural Productivity

Pierre-AndréChiappori. Matching with Transfers: The Economics of Love and Marriage

Family economics is the sub-discipline in labor economics that applies household decision-making processes, household production, and fertility decisionsto understanding the family.  Gary Becker’s 1981 seminal Treatise on the Family renewed interest in the study of the economics of the household, and matching has become a foundational topic in family formation.  Since Becker’s renewed interest revitalized fertility studies and the New Home Economics, various scholars have extended this work into matching and household formation, and few have advanced the research as much as Pierre-André Chiappori.Chiappori has now summarized his and other scholars’ work into his book Matching with Transfers: The Economics of Love and Marriage(2017)

Lanny Ebenstein, Chicagonomics: The Evolution of Chicago Free Market Economics

Abstract. Few 20th century economics departments influenced the discipline as much as the University of Chicago.  Among the oldest economics departments, its most distinguished characteristics are its high profile emphasis on market solutions, the colorful figures it attracted and developed, and those it retained. None have attracted the prolific and novel research that went on to win The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.Keywords. Chicagonomics, Alfred Nobel, Free Market Economics.JEL. A10

Avner Offer & Gabriel Söderberg, The Nobel Factor: The Prize in Economics, Social Democracy, and The Market Turn

Abstract. Avner Offer and Gabriel Söderberg have written a history of the Swedish National Bank’s Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel that considers its establishment, important administrative figures, and ideological change.  The book frames the history of 20th century economic thought into liberal Swedish Social Democracy and neo-liberal economics.Keywords. Nobel factor, Nobel prize, Social democracy.JEL. B10, L66, Q18

Jonathon Conlin, Great Economic Thinkers: An Introduction from Adam Smith to Amartya Sen

Abstract. Every generation of economists builds on its forebears and as the field develops.  Colins uses a variety of views, leading to a more comprehensive perspective on the history of economic thought.  Standard and new scholars in the history of economic thought are considered.  Mathematics, econometrics, and deduction are leading tools in the economic tool kit.  Nonetheless, to keep the history of economic thought as a vital tool in the economic methodology, economics is enriched by the inductive, historical perspective.Keywords. Generation of economists, Great Economic Thinkers, Adam Smith, Amartya Sen.JEL. A13, C70, D11

Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (Eds.), The Road from Mont Pelerin: the Making of the Neoliberal Thought Collective

Book Revie

Richard Sylla, Hamilton: The Illustrated Biography

Abstract. In a time of renewed interested in Alexander Hamilton inliterature and art, recent attention reflects his near indispensable role in establishing the United States’ political institutions and economic system.  Richard Sylla has written an illustrated biography that complements this renewed interest in Alexander Hamilton.Keywords. Political economy, Economic thought, Politics, Economic system.JEL. B10, L66, Q18