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Must-Read Economics Books
One of the best ways to discover your particular passion in the field of economics is to read a range of books.
This list, while by no means an exhaustive study of the best economic texts, contains a mix of works that will give you general understanding of how economists think about the world, as well as an idea of how economists use models and data to find solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing policy makers today.
Introductions to Economics
- , Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Freakonomics unpacks how people respond to incentives by investigating seemingly non-economic subjects like how parents pick names for their children and even how the legalization of abortion could be responsible for a drop in crime. Provocative and entertaining, Freakonomics is a crash course in the populist application of economics. - , Charles Wheelan
If you are looking for a refresher in economics or an introduction to the broad strokes of the subject, Naked Economics is for you. Charles Wheelan starts with one basic premise, that people seek to maximize their utility, and expands into a larger exploration of free market theory and its implications. - ,听Richard H. Thaler
In Misbehaving, Richard Thaler examines how the 鈥渞ational actor鈥 assumption often used in economic theory misunderstands how humans think and act. The book focuses on how human misbehavior has consequences that appear no matter how large or small a decision appears to be.听Misbehaving听is an impressive account of the major development in behavioral economics over the last half-century. - ,
Uri Gneezy and John List
The Why Axis uses field experiments to explore how human behavior and decision-making are shaped by hidden incentives and social norms. The authors investigate questions related to gender discrimination, education, charity, and the workplace, revealing how seemingly small changes in incentives can lead to significant shifts in behavior. - ,
Robert H. Frank
The Economic Naturalist applies basic economic principles to answer common, puzzling questions about daily life, including why drive-up ATMs have Braille or why soft drinks cost the same in small and large sizes, to demonstrate how concepts like incentives, trade-offs, and opportunity costs explain these oddities. - , Robert Heilbroner
The Worldly Philosophers explores the lives and ideas of the great economic thinkers who shaped modern economic thought, including Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, examining their theories on wealth, labor, capitalism, and society. It offers readers insight into how these "worldly philosophers" shaped the course of history by grappling with real-world issues of growth, inequality, and power.
Field-Specific Economics Books
- ,听Paul Collier, and
,听
Katherine Boo
If your interest is working as an economist in international development or with international aid agencies,听The Bottom Billion听is a must read. Paul Collier challenges the notion that the best way to help the poor in struggling economies is through a hand-on approach rather than simply a cash infusion. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a non-fiction account of life in Annawadi, a slum near Mumbai's international airport. Katherine Boo follows the lives of several residents, highlighting their struggles with poverty, corruption, and inequality in modern India. Boo exposes how systemic issues such as government corruption, lack of healthcare, and limited education trap people in cycles of poverty, while still emphasizing their resilience and drive for a better future. - ,听Pietra Rivoli, and
, Doug Irwin
For a look at how globalization and free trade impact the cost of goods, look no further than听The Travels of a T-Shirt in a Global Economy. Pietra Rivoli's book provides a way to see globalization, a deeply complicated issue, through the production of a single t-shirt. For economics students interested in working in the fields of international trade or monetary policy, Travels of a T-Shirt is a must-read. Travels of a T-Shirt critically examines the ongoing debates surrounding free trade, especially in the context of rising protectionism and economic nationalism. Irwin in Free Trade under Fire advocates for a more nuanced understanding of trade's complexities, emphasizing the need for policies that support workers and communities affected by globalization rather than reverting to protectionist measures. - ,
Dean Baker
Plunder and Blunder听offers a look at the causes of the housing bubble that precipitated the 2001 and 2007 market crashes. Dean Baker analyzes the causes and effects of the crash, why people ignored the signs of an oncoming economic disaster and what can be done to prevent future financial bubbles. - , Thomas Pikkety, and
, Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson
Growing inequality is one of the most pressing problems facing economists today. To explore this issue, consider reading Capital in the Twenty-First Century, which argues that inequality is not an inevitable consequence of capitalism but rather a result of political and economic systems that allow wealth to concentrate. Thomas Pikkety traces how returns on capital tend to grow faster than the economy, leading to a widening gap between the rich and the rest of society, but progressive taxation could counteract rising inequality. Power and Progress examines how technological advances have historically shaped society, often benefiting elites while leaving many others behind. The book argues that while technological progress has the potential to improve living standards, it doesn't automatically lead to widespread prosperity. The authors emphasize the need for political and social reforms to ensure that future innovations contribute to equitable growth and address challenges like inequality, labor displacement, and the distribution of wealth.
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