12 Premier Lessons from the World's Leading Economists

Table of Contents

A cutting-edge “wonderland of knowledge” from the top stars of modern economics.

- “It will change the view of society” — Fuhito Kojima, Professor, the University of Tokyo
I think it is a very rare thing in this world to find a book comprised of interviews with such a splendid group of people. I would like this book to be picked up not only by those who are interested in modern economics, but also by those who are wondering, “Economics? What is that?” I am sure it will change people’s mindsets.

- “Research that changed the world and the human story” — Yosuke Yasuda, Professor, Osaka University
Leading economists discuss the research that changed the world and the dramatic events that led them to realize such accomplishments. You don’t have to know anything about economics to be drawn into their charming stories. This book is truly “The World’s Premier Economics School”!

- First-rate economists talk about economics, the world, society, and people!
From Nobel Prize-winning economists and current leading Nobel candidates to prominent and heterodox economists: Becker, Thaler, Ariely, Milgrom, Roth, List, Heckman, Banerjee, Acemoğlu, Stiglitz, Rodrik, Rajan. The economics correspondent for Nikkei Business interviews world-class economists and explains the content and background of their research. It vividly conveys the challenges of the modern economy and the trends in front-line economics that aim to solve them.

Leading economists in a variety of economic fields, including human capital, behavioral economics, economics of organizations, market design, education, development economics, global economy, the relationship between politics and economics, innovation, and globalization talk frankly about how economics confronts the problems facing modern society. They provide advice and solutions related to current problems, the motivations for their research, their achievements, their role in society, and their policy proposals.

The simple, direct words of these leading modern economists demonstrate that economics, as an exploration of human behavior, has the power to change society throughout the ages. Along with interviews, the book fully delves into each economist's research history and personality. This is a liberal arts book that explains the power of economics and makes economics completely accessible.

Foreword
Chapter 1: “Human Capital Theories” in an Aging Society by Gary Becker
Chapter 2: The Behavioral Economics of “We Are Human After All” by Richard H. Thaler
Chapter 3: The Economics of “Altruistic Behavior” by Dan Ariely
Chapter 4: Economics for Business by Paul Milgrom
Chapter 5: Market Design Enabling the “Right People in the Right Places” by Alvin E. Roth
Chapter 6: The Economics of “Scaled” Ideas by John A. List
Chapter 7: Discipline and Environment Birth-to-Age-Five Creates the “Ability to Survive” by James J. Heckman
Chapter 8: No Evidence for Growth Strategies by Abhijit Banerjee
Chapter 9: Updating Political Economy with Data by Daron Acemoğlu
Chapter 10: Creating Added Value from Aging by Joseph E. Stiglitz
Chapter 11: New Globalization, New Industrial Policy by Dani Rodrik
Chapter 12: Globalization Will Not Die by Raghuram Rajan
Afterword