Political Economy: A Comparative Approach - Softcover

Clark, Barry Stewart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0275936848 ISBN 13: 9780275936846

Publisher: Praeger Pub Text, 1991

Synopsis

This text is designed to provide a balance to the exclusive focus on technique that has come to dominate recent economic education. By integrating material from political theory, sociological theory, and philosophy with economic analysis, Barry Clark provides a comprehensive overview of political/economic thought and reveals the underlying value judgments and ideological commitments that fuel debates over public policy. He offers a historical perspective, tracing contemporary debates back to their origins in the European industrialization process; a comparative approach, examining various political/economic perspectives and ideologies; and an integrative viewpoint, including both positive and normative approaches to understanding society.

Recognizing the absence of any consensus about the meaning of political economy, Clark begins his work with a two-chapter introduction to the alternative meanings and historical evolution of political economy. The next four chapters present detailed analyses of the thinkers and perspectives that make up four comparative approaches: Classical Liberal, Radical, Conservative, and Modern Liberal. The final nine chapters cover major issues in modern political economy, and for each issue the analysis and policies offered by each of the four ideologies are considered. Among the topics addressed are the role of government, business cycles, poverty, labor relations, discrimination, gender, the environment, and international development. This work is designed as a textbook for a semester-long course in Political Economy, History of Economic Thought, or Political Theory, and will also be a valuable supplemental resource for economics and political science courses. Public and academic libraries will find it to be a valuable addition to their collections.

About this title

Book Description

In this revised edition of a widely used text various issues, such as the role of government, inflation and unemployment, poverty and inequality, and education, culture, and gender, are given a comparative analysis from the perspectives of four major economic ideologies.

About the Author

BARRY CLARK is Professor of Economics and former Department Chairperson at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His research and publications have focused on the ethical dimensions of public policy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0275936848
• ISBN 13: 9780275936846
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 313