When economists wrestle with issues such as unemployment, inflation, or budget deficits, they do so by incorporating an impersonal, detached mode of reasoning. But economists also analyze issues that, to others, typically do not fall within the realm of economic reasoning, such as organ transplants, cigarette addiction, overeating, and product safety. "Trade-Offs" is an introduction to the economic approach to analyzing these controversial public policy issues. Harold Winter provides readers with the analytical tools needed to identify and understand the trade-offs associated with these topics. By considering both the costs and benefits of potential policy solutions, Winter stresses that real-world decision making is best served by an explicit recognition of as many trade-offs as possible. This new edition incorporates recent developments in policy debates, including the rise of "new paternalism," or policies designed to protect people from themselves; alternative ways to increase the supply of organs available for transplant; and economic approaches to controlling infectious disease.
About the AuthorHarold Winter is professor of economics at Ohio University.
Reviews"With shrewd verbal reasoning, Harold Winter brings home a number of concepts the general public has difficulty digesting.... This precious little book will become widespread reading in basic courses on economics, but every sensible person interested in societal matters and not familiar with law and economics issues should also read it." (History of Economic Ideas)"
Book InformationISBN 9780226924496
Author Harold WinterFormat Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint University of Chicago PressPublisher The University of Chicago Press
Weight(grams) 255g
Dimensions(mm) 22mm * 14mm * 1mm