Posted on 02/01/2005 7:40:43 AM PST by churchillbuff
When I was in school, years ago, we lugged around Samuelson, which spoon-fed Keynes to college students. Does anyone know of a credible college economics textbook that's of a more conservative perspective - giving a supplyside and/or Friedman outlook? There are some college-bound students I'd like to give it to.
Try "Human Action" by Von Mises.
I do not know if he has penned anything but Wayne Angell,
who was head of Global Economics at Bear Stearns is just
what you are looking for.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0465081452/qid=1107272570/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-7576800-0728700?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0465081436/qid=1107272570/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-7576800-0728700?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
"Basic Economics" and "Applied Economics" by Sowell. Studiously nonpedantic, and clear.
It's not a textbook, but simply reading "Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman will teach all you need to know. It was published in the late 60s, so you will have to buy it used. And if you finish that, read the follow up book, "Free to Choose" by Friedman and his wife.
The guy is simply brilliant. Plus, I went to the Univ of Chicago, so I am little bias towards the Great One (Friedman).
Has Walter Williams written one?
Personally, I would avoid teaching monetarism. It appears to me that monetarism is going to the ashheap just as Keynesianism did in the early 1980s.
Teach good old classical economics. It is the wave of the future.
"Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt. 1950s, but as valid today as the day it first saw light. Brief, too. Also: "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat -- despite its title, this is an econ textbook, too.
It's too bad that Russell Kirk didn't do texts for college-level coursework.
I am surprised no one has mentioned THE MAKING OF MODERN ECONOMICS by Mark Shousen! His other convervative economic texts are ECONOMIC LOGIC, STRUCTURE OF PRODUCTION, and ECONOMICS ON TRIAL: LIES, MYTHS AND REALTITIES. If you type in his name, you'll find his web page. I believe his is an economics professor at Rollins College in Flordia.
Back to the basics: "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith
I have the PERFECT one for you, but need time to look for it. I loved it, my professor hated it (and actually asked all the students to complain about the book on their evaluations, in hope that the college would get rid of the book). I of course praised the book highly in my evaluation, and was a constant thorn in my leftie professor's side throughout the year.
Later today, I'll try to dig it out of the garage. It's an ECON 101 book (nothing complex). I've been out of school for many, many years, and it's the only book I've kept.
Try 'Economics of Futures Trading" by Thomas Hieronymus.
For a textbook I would second the recommendation of Alchian and Allen, which was written to serve as a textbook. The other books cited (esp. the Sowell) are all good reading, but are not comprehensive enough (except Sowell) to serve as a model text.
Chances are, the teacher will select a particular book, so the problem may be finding the right teacher. That can then be supplemented by additional ancillary reading, of which there is much available.
Russell Kirk was not an economist. Ludwig von Mises' "Human Action" is a valuable text, but not (IMHO) as an introduction to the field.
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