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by: Robert H. Nelson
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 330.1
EAN: 9780271020952
ISBN: 0271020954
Label: Pennsylvania State University Press
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania State University Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 378
Publication Date: 2001-06
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press
Sales Rank: 422646
Studio: Pennsylvania State University Press
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Editorial Review:
Book Description:
An insightful exploration of the powerful role that economic belief plays in our modern society as a secular religion that serves many of the same functions as early Christian and other religions did in their time.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Interesting overall but major errors occur whenever Adam Smith is discussed
This book is certainly worth buying .It is well written.It is probably true that,to some extent,Samuelson saw Keynesian ecomomics as a religious type gospel of reform.Undoubtedly,the Chicago school's libertarian atheism (of Milton Friedman and others)can be regarded as a type of religion.It is certainly true that Adam Smith's work has been so badly misinterpreted by practically all economists,including Nelson,that one could be convinced that Smith's Invisible Hand is based on some type ... Read More
Rating:  - A Midwestern Progressive's view from Japan
This is a brilliant intellectual history of late 20th century American economics which puts it in both American and European historic context. It is both erudite and immensely practical in helping one to see the limitations in recommendations of economists more clearly.
As a former international banker (and a mathematician by training) who has lived both in Europe and the Far East, the practical limits and occasional parochialism of American mainstream economics have long been clear, but except ... Read More
Rating: - Economics as religion
This is a remarkable book... erudite, opinionated, original, and addressing a crucially important subject matter. Prof. Nelson covers a wide swath of recent economic thinking (that survey alone makes the book worthwhile), and contends that while economics wears the cloak of authority of science, it can more accurately be viewed as a secular religion. I had read one of his 1980s articles, and picked up the book on that basis - and became thoroughly engaged. If one measures success in terms of underlined ... Read More
Rating: - Is Economics a Religion?
Prof. Robert Nelson argues that economics has become the modern religion, complete with a priesthood (economists), a sacred text (Samuelson's "Economics") and a plan of salvation, (material progress will solve the problem of mankind, including the problem of sin.) Over the top, you say? He makes a great case. Read this book and find out for yourself.
I am a professional economist myself. Nelson's arguments ring true in my experience in the profession. He argues that many of the controversies over economic ... Read More
Rating:  - Understanding Economics
Ever wonder how the field of economics could produce such disparate voices, from interventionists such as John Maynard Keynes to the classical liberalism of Milton Friedman? Those looking for insights will do well to read Economics as Religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and Beyond by Robert H. Nelson, an economist at the University of Maryland.
As the book's subtitle suggests, Nelson takes the reader on tour of modern economic thought. Here he's done commendable job, providing a highly readable account ... Read More
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