Economist and evolutionary game theorist Daniel Friedman demonstrates that our moral codes and our market systems-while often in conflict-are really devices evolved to achieve similar ends, and that society functions best when morals and markets are in balance with each other.
'Anyone interested in markets and morals, perhaps the central issue of our time, should read this very interesting and thoughtful book.' - Tyler Cowen, Professor of Economics, George Mason University, USA
'The message markets plus moral is excellent, it is consonant with behavioral game theory's results, including experiments with small-scale societies, and with McCloskey's recent book on bourgeois morality. But, Friedman's message is simpler and clearer.' - Herbert Gintis, Santa Fe Institute, Central Europe University (Budapest), Hungary
'I have been waiting for someone to write this book for a long time. Its use of historical anecdotes to explain why one cannot divorce a society's economics from its social contract is utterly convincing.' - Ken Binmore, Professor Emeritus, University College London, UK
'This book expertly addresses the most important issues confronting the continued evolution of morals and instituions for human socioeconomic betterment.' - Vernon L. Smith, George L. Argyros Chair in Finance & Economics, Chapman University, USA
Prologue
The Savanna Code: What Good are Morals?
Bazaar and Empire: How Did We Become Civilized and Start Shopping?
The Great Transformation: Why is the Modern World So Rich?
Utopias of Cooperation: The Rise and Fall of Communism
Russia's Transition to Kleptocracy: When Markets Need Morals
Japan's Bubbles and Zombies: When Morals Choke Markets
Towers of Trust: The Rise (and Occasional Crash) of Financial Markets
From Hudson's Bay to eBay: Why Do Some People Like Going to Work?
Markets for Crime and Markets for Punishment
Mullahs' Revenge: Gangs, Cults, and Anti-Terrorists
Cooling the Earth: Environmental Morals and Markets
Future Morals and Markets: Can This Marriage Be Saved?
Appendix: Technical Details
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
DANIEL FRIEDMAN is Professor of Economics at UC Santa Cruz, USA.
Description
Economist and evolutionary game theorist Daniel Friedman demonstrates that our moral codes and our market systems-while often in conflict-are really devices evolved to achieve similar ends, and that society functions best when morals and markets are in balance with each other.
Reviews
'Anyone interested in markets and morals, perhaps the central issue of our time, should read this very interesting and thoughtful book.' - Tyler Cowen, Professor of Economics, George Mason University, USA
'The message markets plus moral is excellent, it is consonant with behavioral game theory's results, including experiments with small-scale societies, and with McCloskey's recent book on bourgeois morality. But, Friedman's message is simpler and clearer.' - Herbert Gintis, Santa Fe Institute, Central Europe University (Budapest), Hungary
'I have been waiting for someone to write this book for a long time. Its use of historical anecdotes to explain why one cannot divorce a society's economics from its social contract is utterly convincing.' - Ken Binmore, Professor Emeritus, University College London, UK
'This book expertly addresses the most important issues confronting the continued evolution of morals and instituions for human socioeconomic betterment.' - Vernon L. Smith, George L. Argyros Chair in Finance & Economics, Chapman University, USA
Contents
Prologue
The Savanna Code: What Good are Morals?
Bazaar and Empire: How Did We Become Civilized and Start Shopping?
The Great Transformation: Why is the Modern World So Rich?
Utopias of Cooperation: The Rise and Fall of Communism
Russia's Transition to Kleptocracy: When Markets Need Morals
Japan's Bubbles and Zombies: When Morals Choke Markets
Towers of Trust: The Rise (and Occasional Crash) of Financial Markets
From Hudson's Bay to eBay: Why Do Some People Like Going to Work?
Markets for Crime and Markets for Punishment
Mullahs' Revenge: Gangs, Cults, and Anti-Terrorists
Cooling the Earth: Environmental Morals and Markets
Future Morals and Markets: Can This Marriage Be Saved?
Appendix: Technical Details
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
Authors
DANIEL FRIEDMAN is Professor of Economics at UC Santa Cruz, USA.
|