Free Lunch Thinking : 8 Economic Myths And Why Politicians Fall For Them

About this book

Countries with smaller governments grow faster. Tobacco taxes are the best way to cut smoking. Government regulation discourages entrepreneurship. Award-winning investigative journalist Tom Bergin digs into eight mantras widely accepted by Western governments and, by talking to the people who promote those ideas and the workers, businesspeople and consumers who have felt their impacts, finds they often don't play out as expected. Smart, funny and incisive, Free Lunch Thinking is essential reading for anyone who really wants to know how economies tick - and why they often don't. _______________________________________________________________ 'I couldn't put it down. A thorough and nuanced examination of the evolution of supply side economics . . . I loved it.' Arthur Laffer, creator of the Laffer Curve 'An entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of economic theories that have been both widely accepted and largely wrong . . . I devoured it in a couple of sittings.' Reuters Breakingviews 'An insightful account of the recent history of economic thought. If you are looking for a book which challenges you without being annoying - make it this one.' Institute of Economics Affairs Review An essential read if you want to know how economics has erred - and how it can do better.—Gabriel Zucman, author of 'The Hidden Wealth of Nations' I couldn't put it down. A thorough and nuanced examination of the evolution of supply side economics and the debates we had around how to put the theory into practice. I loved it.—Arthur Laffer, creator of the Laffer Curve A brilliant tour de force exposing the limitations of economic theories. Bergin punctures many accepted myths and - with care and rigour - demonstrates how much accepted economic orthodoxy is based on ideology and not reality. A very readable and well-researched book that we all should read.—Margaret Hodge, former chair of the UK parliament’s Public Accounts Committee An entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of economic theories that have been both widely accepted and largely wrong . . . I devoured it in a couple of sittings.—Reuters Breakingviews Fantastically provocative book . . . a really great read.—David McWilliams, economist and author About the Author Tom Bergin is an investigative financial journalist for Reuters. His work has prompted parliamentary inquiries and won numerous awards in Britain, the United States and Asia, including a Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business Journalism and the Orwell Prize for Journalism. In 2013, he was named Business Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards. His previous book, Spills & Spin: The Inside Story of BP, was named a Sunday Times Politics Book of the Year in 2011. Before entering journalism 20 years ago, Tom worked in asset management and as an energy broker. He grew up in Ireland and lives in London.