Can a "radical free-market" economy help to end poverty and militarism while avoiding the quagmire of central planning? Don Lavoie makes a strong case that it can in National Economic Planning: What Is Left? Avoiding the conventional pitfalls of the Right and the Left, Lavoie argues with a strong social consciousness that liberal and radical arguments for national economic planning fail to solve the basic problem of coordinating knowledge in society. He shows how decentralized markets solve this problem, while no means ...
Read More
Can a "radical free-market" economy help to end poverty and militarism while avoiding the quagmire of central planning? Don Lavoie makes a strong case that it can in National Economic Planning: What Is Left? Avoiding the conventional pitfalls of the Right and the Left, Lavoie argues with a strong social consciousness that liberal and radical arguments for national economic planning fail to solve the basic problem of coordinating knowledge in society. He shows how decentralized markets solve this problem, while no means exist for a central planner to elicit the information needed to coordinate a complex, interrelated economy. National Economic Planning: What Is Left? begins by showing why there is a need for a scientific-radical perspective and why central planning is not the answer. The author systematically and thoroughly critiques Far Left and Marxist positions, as well as the more popular views of macroeconomic planning, economic democracy, and industrial policy. Lavoie's premise is that economic planning is not a rationally organized, objective system but rather a dynamic process with only very subjective means for determining which product is "best" or preferred by the consumer. The arbiter for "what is best?" must be free-market competition and not a centralized planner. Planning can do nothing but disrupt social and economic coordination and worsen the serious problems of modern economies. Constantly sensitive to the social concerns that have inspired "radicals" from Thomas Jefferson to Karl Marx, Lavoie demonstrates where and why the traditional policies of the Left have failed, why today's liberal and neoconservative variations on economic planning cannot accomplish their goals, and what alternative policies can produce progressive social change in a prosperous and growing economy. Economic planning, Lavoie contends, is an unworkable and ultimately reactionary policy that must be rejected by the Left if radicals seek to offer real solutions to pressing social problems. This book challenges radicals-and their critics-to begin reformulating their whole conception of progressive economic change without reliance on central planning. National Economic Planning: What Is Left? is as comprehensive as it is controversial. Written for lay readers as well as economists and social analysts, its arguments rely as heavily on common sense as they do on scientific method and will challenge thinkers and policymakers of every political persuasion. Praise for the Book "Don Lavoie's book will serve a very important function. After more than fifty years of discussion in which the socialists at first just would not listen, their position has now collapsed. Yet this long discussion was not without benefits. We have learnt much from this resistance to seeing the truth, and we shall also learn much from studying this systematic exposition of the present state of our knowledge of the problems." -F. A. Hayek, Nobel laureate "Lavoie's superb study develops an immensely powerful case for the irrationality of national economic planning. It is distinctive in showing that conventional ideas of economic planning depend upon conceptions of human knowledge that are philosophically untenable. It will be of great interest to economists, political scientists, philosophers, and all those concerned with current trends in public policy." -John Gray, Oxford University
Read Less
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $8.69, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Publisher:
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Published:
08/05/2016
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
18143846146
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.60
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $10.42, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $10.42, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $11.13, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason.
Publisher:
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Published:
2016
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
18253823831
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.60
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $12.00, good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason.
Publisher:
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Published:
2016
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
18070047882
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.60
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $18.12, good condition, Sold by SurplusTextSeller rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MO, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Publisher:
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Published:
2016
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
18134195752
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.60
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! May not include working access code. Will not include dust jacket. Has used sticker(s) and some writing or highlighting. UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes).
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $21.42, new condition, Sold by Prime Goods Outlet rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Troy, OH, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What Is Left? to cart. $25.07, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $38.43, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Maso.
Add this copy of National Economic Planning: What is Left? to cart. $69.61, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Mercatus Center at George Maso.
