Julie A. Nelson

Apparently it really is true that economists made up a spherical human of uniform density, to make their equations easier, and never realized that this has no bearing on how the world actually works. I've always suspected it; now I just wonder how economics has continued to justify its own existence for so long.

Nelson is arguing for a kinder, gentler capitalism, one that acknowledges that the economy is made up of *people* and assigns value accordingly. She does a good job of breaking down the ways the classical economic model fails, but I'm not so sure she's as good at making suggestions for how to improve what exists - she makes a good case for why progressives can still be (and possibly should be) capitalists, but she doesn't address the ways this could go horribly wrong in our current antagonistic two-party deathmatch of a political environment.… (plus d'informations)

A very short, very succinct, but very enlightening perspective on economics. Nelson rejects the classical economic model of the economy as a machine, which is accepted by both pro- and anti-market partisans, and which prevents any substantive discussion of the economy. She shows how this model is not based on any real world data, but merely on the assumptions of neo-classical economists. Nelson offers an alternative metaphor/model: that of the heart. This model integrates both the need for material provisioning and for more humanist caring values, offering a venue for cooperation between the two sides.

The book is brilliant in providing an alternative perspective on economics from one within the economics profession. Only the lack of detailed discussion of solutions for the problems of our economic structure--something seriously needed in our times--prevents a five-star rating.… (plus d'informations)

In some ways, this book seems to be caught in a time warp. Nelson seems to be addressing an audience of 19th century or early 20th century readers.

She argues that economists have a "mechanical" view of the economy as an amoral machine of production. Thus, social life is divided in half. The mechanical, male, materialistic half focuses on production, growth, and development. The caring, moral, female half of society focuses on intimacy and care of the soul. Nelson criticizes this dualism and argues that our economy will be much healthier when we learn that we cannot isolate moral concern from business enterprise.

This notion of the separate spheres is all very 19th century, and Nelson even turns for answers to the Progressive Movement of the early 20th century, who also criticized the notion of separate spheres.

Still, despite the naive and old-fashioned arguments, much of the book resonated with me. Perhaps, we still are trapped in these dualisms more than I thought.… (plus d'informations)