Geoffrey E. Wood

The recession which many countries experienced in the early 1990s had certain unusual aspects. Most notably, and common to all countries, was the behaviour of asset prices relative to the general price level. In consequence, reasons were sought to explain the special characteristics of the recession, and as a result of the behaviour of asset prices attention was turned to debt-deflation theories associated in different forms with John Maynard Keynes and Irving Fisher. The contributors to this volume discuss the significance of debt deflation. Their striking common feature is that, on the evidence presented here, the behaviour of asset prices should not be of great concern to policy-makers, or to those attempting to understand economic behaviour. However, residual doubts remain over the Japanese case.

These lucid and stimulating articles are invaluable to students struggling to master some of the complexities of economic theory and its applications, who often find that the most effective way to learn economic analysis is to see such fallacies exposed. It is a text particularly suitable for first-year economic students, complementing existing textbooks as it does, and clarifying basic concepts in economics while demonstrating the practical uses of economic theory -- back cover.

This book contains a selection of the Wincott lectures, given by eminent economists (including four Nobel laureates). Economists do not always communicate their theories to the general public. But all the contributors to this volume have achieved a perfect balance between practical relevance and sound economic reasoning. For this reason their lectures remain refreshing and fascinating. In addition, with economic discourse becoming more and more mathematically formulated, these lectures are a striking example of how important concepts can be communicated simply. Every one of these advances our understanding of the market economy and how it relates to political decisions.