Trade-Offs: An Introduction to Economic Reasoning and Social Issues

by Harold Winter

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, do not typically fall within the realm of economic reasoning, such as organ transplants, cigarette addiction, smoking in public, 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 policy decision making is best served by an explicit recognition of as many trade-offs as possible.

Intellectually stimulating yet accessible and entertaining, Trade-Offs will be appreciated by students of economics, public policy, health administration, political science, and law, as well as by anyone who follows current social policy debates.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Business

126 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Janice Ye · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very intriguing book about behavioral economics with many real-life examples!

[Joris Gillet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one of those books that makes me embarrassed to be an economist. Not *quite* as risible as that Steven E. Landsburg book I read a couple of years ago but it's in the same ballpark. Ooh, look at me, using economic analysis to come up with 'politically incorrect' insights. One of the chapters is all about how we are not paying enough attention to the benefits of cigarettes in the debate around smoking legislation. Oh, how contrarian of you. Or, in reality, how tedious you are.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas. Unfortunately many of them are reasoned in a fairly academic way. Academics really seem to get off on being contrary.

[Diana Tsui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introductory text on economic reasoning with concrete examples.

[Paul Edlund · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. The description read great, but the book is very, very dry. It's essentially an Econ 101 text and not even as interesting as that.

[Emily Aldous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you actually want to read about economics

[Shena · Rating 2 out of 5]

:(

[Braden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ford Pintos, Napster, and the battle over the ownership of a spleen. These are just a few of the topics covered in this book that has become one of my favorite on the topic of economics. Please don't write this book off just because it has the word "economic" in the title. This is one of the better books I've read on the topic, especially for people that want a better understanding of how trade-offs, aka costs vs. benefits affect social decisions. I was thoroughly entertained. It's a quick read, so I highly recommend to anyone who wants something a little different to spice up their reading list.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book allows an enlightening glimpse into the thinking and reasoning of economists. Worthwhile reading for anyone who wants to understand some of the thought processes behind policy making. It also aids in the ability to identify those criteria that don't actually belong in the world of economic reasoning.

[Josh S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well thought out, easy to read primer on making decisions based on data and reason. anyone not familiar with economics and/or evidence based policymaking, but interested in politics would do well to read it, and I hope the advice contained within helps provide perspective on the world of social policy in conditions of scarcity.

[Case Tatro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written book that allows the common person to understand and grapple with rational theory and how economists think about public policy questions. It importantly emphasizes the absence of true solutions to any given problem, but rather the ubiquitous nature of trade-offs in tackling these problems.