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  • © 2017

America's Free Market Myths

Debunking Market Fundamentalism

Palgrave Macmillan

Authors:

  • Argues that the US economy is not a free market
  • Challenges 13 myths about the free market and the US economic system
  • Identifies sources of myth perpetuation

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
  2. Introduction

    • Joseph Shaanan
    Pages 1-14
  3. Economics

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15
    2. Myth 1: America Has Free Markets

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 17-33
    3. Myth 3: The Less Government, the Better

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 49-70
    4. Myth 5: The Economy Has Superior Efficiency

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 89-108
  4. Socio-Economic

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109
    2. Myth 6: Exceptional Living Standards

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 111-125
    3. Myth 7: An Egalitarian Nation

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 127-146
  5. Political-Economic

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147
    2. Myth 8: Free Markets Protect Democracy

      • Joseph Shaanan
      Pages 149-170
  6. The Crash and Bailouts

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 221-221
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 253-303

About this book

This book describes and refutes thirteen ideas involving free market principles and the US economic system, arguing that these (mostly familiar) ideas are myths. The myths are deeply ingrained in the United States' self-image and in political discourse, and are hailed as indisputable, scientifically grounded truths. Unfortunately, an economy dominated by giant corporations bears little resemblance to a free market. So why is so much effort and expense devoted to disseminating these stories? The answer is simple. The different myths generate the recommendation that the system's rewards should flow upward to corporations and a small group of wealthy and politically influential people. The myths help entrench existing economic and political power while distancing America from a more productive and widely beneficial form of capitalism. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Bryant University , Smithfield, USA

    Joseph Shaanan

About the author

Joseph Shaanan is Professor of Economics at Bryant University, USA. He is the author of Economic Freedom and the American Dream (2010).

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access