It's the Economy, Stupid: Economics for voters

Description

'It's the economy stupid'. James Carville, President Bill Clinton's successful election campaign strategist, coined his maxim to leave no doubt about what matters most to the electorate. He knew that even those voter concerns that are runner-ups to the clear winner 'The economy' are mostly also about economics anyway. Politicians are acutely aware that democratic outcomes are largely determined by economics. Good economic news generally boosts the popularity of the incumbent party in government and bad economic performance that becomes associated with a particular political party can blight its election chances for a long time. In this extraordinary book top economist Vicky Pryce argues that economics, good and bad, is the driver of politics and is ignored at our peril. There are the wide-ranging and huge economic questions: How should we use economics to cost in and avoid the environmental damage that could lead to catastrophe? Are austerity measures the best way to tackle recessions or do they make them worse? How can we foster economic progress for poorer countries? How will the newly rich countries change the world economy, and with it the balance of powers?

Vicky Pryce is an economist, and former Joint head of the United Kingdom's government economic service. She is the author of Greekonomics 9781849544009 and Prisonomics 9781849546225.

Indispensable for anyone who wants to engage in economic argument on the basis of facts not prejudices. John Kay CBE, Fellow in Economics, St John's College, Oxford This book performs an important public service by throwing analytical light on the big issues. Dame Kate Barker, Chief Economic Adviser to the CBI 1994-2001 With so many uncertainties ahead, this book attempts to offer a better understanding of what is myth and what is reality behind the economic challenges facing the UK, which will be hotly debated in the coming months - and beyond. Lord (Adair) Turner, Chair of the Financial Services Authority 2008-13 'You'd struggle to name a more coherent account of the credit crunch, which is impressive considering its complexity.' Daily Telegraph 'This book submits a range of potent topics - Europe, immigration, the National Health Service, HS2 and the environment among them - to analysis.' New Statesman