An Inquiry into the Human Prospect

About this title:
Is there hope for man? That "terrible questions" was posed by Robert L. Heilbroner in the original version of An Inquiry into the Human Prospect. In this third edition of a book that has become a classic, Professor Heilbroner leaves the question in place on the first page, believing some twenty years later that that interrogative sounds the themes of the 1990s as well. The main components of the global predicament he described in the first edition are still with us today: runaway populations, obliterative weaponry, and a closing environmental vise.

Writing now, in the aftermath of the extraordinary events that caused communism as a challenger to capitalism to vanish "like a puff of smoke," Professor Heilbroner traces out the difficulties that beset those attempting centrally planned economies. He shows how Soviet-style systems became mired in bureaucratic swamps. But he warns that the triumph of profit-driven, market-directed economies will not delay the looming encounter with the ecological barrier: "The absorption capacities of the environment," writes Professor Heilbroner, "whether in terms of the greenhouse effect of the overrunning of other physico-chemical capabilities of the planet" still determine the limits of economic expansion,

Trenchant and unflinching, Professor Heilbroner's look at the sum and substance of our prospects for the remaining years of this century is provocative and indispensable reading for those who prefer not to avert their gaze from the hard realities of our times.

The Worldly Philosophers

About this title:
The final and most profound revision of this classic bestseller defines the common thread linking the world's greatest economic thinkers and explores the philosophies that motivate them.

 

Economics Explained: Everything You Need to Know about How the Economy Works & Where It's Going



About this title:
This updated edition of the definitive introduction to economics addresses urgent topical issues, including the increasing inequality in the distribution of income, the impact of the "globalization" of capitalism, and the far-reaching effects of new technology. Charts throughout.
 

Visions of the Future: The Distant Past, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

About this title:
A prophetic vision of the shape of things to come, from one of America's most eloquent economists. Heilbroner gives a penetrating historical overview of how we have thought about the future through the ages, and issues a clarion call to face the challenges of the 21st century with a new awareness and resolve strengthened by the inspiration of our past.
 

The Crisis of Vision in Modern Economic Thought
by Heilbroner, Robert L, and Milberg, William

About this title:
A deep and widespread crisis affects modern economic theory, a crisis that results from the absence of a "vision"--a set of widely shared political and social preconceptions. This provocative analysis attempts both to describe this state of affairs and to suggest the direction in which economic thinking must move if it is to regain the relevance and remedial power it now pointedly lacks.
 

The Making of Economic Society
by Milberg, William S., and Heilbroner, Robert L.

About this title:
With its roots in history and eyes on the future, this book gives readers a balanced perspective of why our economic society is the way it is and where it may be headed by tracing its development from the Middles Ages to the present. Showing that today's economic problems cannot be understood unless we have an understanding of how they first arose, it explores the catalytic role past economic trends and dynamics have played in creating the present challenges we face, and offers suggestions on how we may deal with them most effectively. Focuses on problems and challenges of capitalism after the Golden Age (1945-1973), examining why the age came to an end and how globalization and income inequalities have changed the nature of capitalism. Considers the prospects of capitalism, outlines the essential features of a capitalist system, and stresses that capitalism can take many forms. Explores the concept of institutions, paying particular attention to the relation between states and markets, and workers and employers.
 

Visions of the Future: The Distant Past, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
by Heilbroner, Robert L
 

About this title:
A prophetic vision of the shape of things to come, from one of America's most eloquent economists. Heilbroner gives a penetrating historical overview of how we have thought about the future through the ages, and issues a clarion call to face the challenges of the 21st century with a new awareness and resolve strengthened by the inspiration of our past.
 

The Nature and Logic of Capitalism
by Heilbroner, Robert L.

About this title:
"...Robert L. Heilbroner has written an elegant, riveting account of the economic system under which we live".--Milton Moskowitz, Los Angeles Times Book Review.

The Economic Transformation of America: 1600 to the Present
by Heilbroner, Robert L, and Singer, Aaron


 

About this title:
This extraordinary text offers a proven combination of scholarship from an insightful economist and a renowned American historian. It recounts the development of capitalism and the age of machines through the voices of business leaders, working people, inventors, and an unusual cast of presidents, generals, and patriots. Unlike other books in the field of economic history, this text tells a story. While not ignoring statistics and percentages, this narrative focuses on the fact that America's economic transformation is an extraordinary drama--a drama that continues today.
 

Teachings from the Worldly Philosophy
by Heilbroner, Robert L.

About this title:
In this intriguing volume, Heilbroner delves into the actual writings of the economists who stride through the pages of his classic work The Worldly Philosophers. In his own words, Heilbroner serves as docent to the master works that he has culled from the history of economic thought. In that role, he takes the reader through the core argument of works often referred to, but seldom read other than by scholars.
 

The Debt and the Deficit: False Alarms/Real Possibilities
by Heilbroner, Robert L, and Bernstein, Peter L



About this title:
This book presents a "view of such matters as the national debt and who owns it, the deficit and how to measure it, the difference between public spending for investment and for consumption, and the view that public-debt financing crowds out private financing." (Christ Science Monitor).
 

21st Century Capitalism: Predictions from a Noted Economist
by Heilbroner, Robert L

About this title:
While recognizing that capitalism will remain the dominant mode of economic organization in the next century, Robert Heilbroner asks the questions few others dare raise. Which variety of capitalism will prove the hardiest? What will the government's role be? His answers will astound readers with their vision.

Twenty-first century capitalism
by Heilbroner, Robert L.



About this title:
Bestselling economist Robert Heilbroner tackles crucial questions about capitalism's future: Which variety will survive into the 21st century? How will the private sector work with government to address social needs? Does the defeat of socialism mean greed will dominate the world? A New York Times Notable Book.
 

Essential Adam Smith
by Heilbroner, Robert L. (Editor), and Smith, Adam, and Malone, Lawrence J. (Editor)
 

About this title:
Few writings are more often cited as a cornerstone of modern economic thought than those of Adam Smith. Few are less read. The sheer length of his great work, 'The Wealth of Nations', discourages many from attempting to explore its rich and lucid arguments. In this brilliantly crafted volume, one of the most eminent economists of our day provides a generous selection from the entire body of Smith's work, ranging from his fascinating observations on the psychological nature of man to his famous treatise on what Smith called a 'society of natural liberty, ' The Wealth of Nations.