A great book which I am reading right now. I have already learned so much from the first chapter alone.
I think a good way to study economics would be to study the development of economic thought over the course of human history. Do you agree? What would be some good books to study in this regard?
A great book to start is Edwin Cannan’s Review of Economic Theory. It was the 2 year course given by Cannan in the LSE. Buy it; only about 20 dollars at places, even if its rather old.
Then, begin with de Condillac 1776 book (google it), then move on to Gossen’s 1854, after that Mises’ Human Action and Theory of Money and Credit.
Read Bastiat’s Economic Harmonies and Carl Menger’s Principles of Economics while reading the above.
Then, read the books I’ve listed in this thread, earlier, at your own pace. They are fun reading.
Most importantly, read Brutzkus in the 1935 edition. Its worth it. Your university library will have it (else its $2000).
I would not waste time studying Keynesian economics. Instead, study free market economics (Austrian economics) on your own. The Mises Institute is the center of free market thinking. Read Thomas Wood’s “Meltdown”. He is a historian, and his manner of thinking and writing might be an inspiration to you. If you become a journalist, you will be alone in defending the free market, but you will be right. Good luck.
I am an economics major at San Diego State University. I have learned more in the past six months while reading books like Huerta de Soto’s Money, Bank Credit and Economic Cycles than in all my economics classes put together. In fact, I have been better prepared than any other student just because of my reading of Austrian economics. In fact, these books have made me understand Keynesian theories far better than my professors (which is sad, because I do not understand them as well as many other people on these forums). The only reason I am doing the major (along with political science) is because I want to work in the field. Otherwise, it would be a waste of my time.
I disagree. The study of Austrian economics has actually pushed me to study Keynes’ theories (I am currently researching his idea of the bancor, presented at Bretton Woods) to better understand them and be able to refute them. I think that you can only really consider yourself knowledgeable until you know all the perspectives on the issue.
I agree, Jonathan. I mean, look at how knowledgeable Laughing Man is because he’s studied Marxism so in depth. It really helps to have a full grasp on what you oppose. And it allows you to demolish anyone’s argument coming from that angle.
Excellent point. It is essentional to understand Keynesian theory in order to refute it.