Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - General    5. Finance    6. Public Finance    7. Business & Economics / Economics / General    8. Economic theory & philosophy    9. International economics   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. Finance, Public    6. Public Finance    7. Public Policy - Economic Policy    8. Political Science / Economic Policy   

Subjects:  1. Budget    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. County services    5. Development - Business Development    6. Development - Sustainable Development    7. Evaluation    8. Government productivity    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Municipal services    11. Public Finance    12. Public Health    13. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Economics / General    2. Business & Economics / Public Finance    3. Business    4. Debts, Public    5. Economic Policy    6. Economics    7. Governmental Income And Expenditure    8. Political Science    9. Public Finance    10. U.S. Government    11. United States   

Reviews (7)

This book offers relentless proofs that public debt works
I have not finished this marvelously over-written book but I can tell you I no longer look at the U.S.'s problems the same way.This book of history has much to say about our current problems with social security, health insurance and the Middle East.The most impressive insight I have taken away from this book is that a King with a hoard of gold is no match to a republic where everyone willingly shares the debt load, no matter how great that debt is.You have to wonder if the U.S./U.K. would do better in Iraq if they spent more time setting up money markets.I also understand why the Palestinians refusal to use direct deposit will forever keep them poor and undeveloped.

Insightful!
This impressively researched opus reflects an obsession with One Big Idea that never comes quite clearly into focus, but revolves around the critical historical role played by national credit. Behold an author who not only quotes the Biblical book of Numbers, but also interprets it as a document of financial history, ignoring the contentious issues of authorship and anachronism that make scriptural exegesis such challenging work for specialists. He traces the way government and conflict are funded from Herodotus to the Hanoverian Court to Woodrow Wilson. Like the River Platte, this work is a mile wide and an inch deep; but the river has a definite direction, and this meanders. If you fancy an intriguing browse through major and minor points of political and fiscal history, we have found just the book for you. Some scenes are indelible, like the Germans celebrating WWI bond purchases by driving iron nails into a big wooden statue of a Field Marshall, and may jolt you if you think Allied and Axis powers were funded differently. The U.K. and the U.S. sponsored similar popular financial mobilizations, complete with bombastic slogans (no statues, though).

England's Democracy versus France's Ancien Regime
MacDonald argues that democracy arose to allow governments to borrow for war from their people.There is superb chapter on France versus England in eighteenth century.England had half the GNP of France, but it was always able to outspend France in their wars.England relied on 3% perpetual debt, readily marketable by holders, with published information about budget and single market indicator of England's credit rating. Plus England was run by "heroic citizen-creditors" who were willing to entrust their capital to Bank of England (for loan for war) because they ran the government and were sure they would get taxes to make the debt sound.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Debts, Public    3. Democracy    4. Economic aspects    5. General    6. History    7. History: World    8. Political Ideologies - Democracy    9. Political science    10. Public Finance    11. World - General   

Reviews (1)

Incredibly important topic
Debt -- and the degree to which our society and economy have become dependent on it -- is an incredibly important topic.It was thus with high hopes that I picked up "Debt for Sale", Brett Williams' history of the "credit trap."The book made for a quick, emotionally-charged read, but its flaws ultimately left me hoping for a more balanced, more complete treatise in the future.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer credit    4. Corporate & Business History - General    5. Debt    6. Economic History    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Public Finance    10. Social History    11. United States    12. Consumer issues    13. Credit & credit institutions    14. Social & cultural anthropology   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - Theory    5. Human Services    6. Public Finance    7. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    8. Business & Economics / Public Finance    9. Economics | Theory    10. Equal opportunities    11. Ethics & moral philosophy    12. Political science & theory    13. Social groups & communities    14. Social welfare & social services   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Investments & Securities - General    4. Municipal bonds    5. Municipal finance    6. Public Finance    7. Public Securities    8. United States    9. Business & Management   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - General    5. Finance    6. Public Finance   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Developed countries    5. Europe    6. International - Taxation    7. Public Finance    8. Taxation    9. Taxation - General    10. Business & Economics / Taxation / International    11. Canada    12. Economics | Public    13. Germany    14. Italy    15. Japan    16. Macroeconomics    17. Netherlands    18. Spain    19. Sweden    20. USA    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Theory    5. Economics - Theory    6. Expenditures, Public    7. Externalities (Economics)    8. Governmental Income And Expenditure    9. Public Finance    10. Economic theory & philosophy    11. Political economy   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Congresses    5. Development - Economic Development    6. Government - International    7. Government spending policy    8. Public Affairs & Administration    9. Public Finance    10. Tax expenditures    11. Taxation - Corporate    12. Taxation - General    13. Taxation   

Reviews (3)

A guide written especially for public fund managers directing fixed-income portfolios
The Politics Of Public Fund Investing: How To Modify Wall Street To Fit Main Street by Ben Finkelstein (Senior Managing Director of Public Funds for Stanford Group Company) is a guide written especially for public fund managers directing fixed-income portfolios, all the while balancing political/ethical considerations with economic/financial ones. Chapters cover how to optimize income and minimize risk; how to align one's portfolio so that it does not violate one's politics; how to profit from losses; callable securities and public fund analytics; and much more. A glossary and index round out this no-nonsense guide especially recommended for novice to intermediate investors.
Super Book!
This is a one-of-a-kind book for individuals who manage investment portfolios for state and local governments.Ben's insight on the vast difference between "Main Street" portfolio management and Wall Street way is right on the mark.The book helps government investment professionals communicate important information to their governing boards.It conveys that the return of principal is more important than the return on principal.This is a must read for the thousands of government treasury professionals.

I VOTE.
Although I admittedly lack a career in politics or a keen understanding of investment strategy, I found this book surprisingly compelling, readable, and relevant. Irrespective of one's professional affiliations, Mr. Finkelstein's revolutionary ideas are highly pertinent to all voters and thoughtful individuals seeking to gain a clearer understanding of how their tax dollars are managed and invested. I highly recommend this book, The Politics of Public Funds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. Investment of public funds    6. Investments & Securities - General    7. Local finance    8. Public Finance    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (1)

A good read
I only wish to disagree with the professional reviewer cited above, who says that Payne writes with an "academic writing style."In fact, this book is very readable and is not weighted down with academic jargon.He makes a good case for an aspect of the legislative process that is often overlooked.If you are a student of government, you should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Economic Policy    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Government spending policy    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Public Finance    6. Public Policy - Economic Policy    7. U.S. Congress (General)    8. United States   

Reviews (2)

Neil Bruce is God
Professor Neil Bruce balances economic theory with real-world examples and applications.His graphs and mathematics are explained thoroughly and the text covers both expenditure policy as well as tax policy; making the textbook good for 2 seperate courses/semesters.
Very good book in Public Economics
I am using this book for an Introductory Public Financ/Economics Course.I find the book quite easy to follow.The concepts and wording are very easy to follow.The graphs are quite clear and informative.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - General    5. Finance, Public    6. Fiscal policy    7. Government spending policy    8. Local finance    9. Public Finance    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / Economics / General   

Editorial Review

The sky isn't falling on Social Security, say economists Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot in this readable but sophisticated defense of America's popular government-run retirement program. The public suspects Social Security won't be solvent in the 21st century, they continue, because of "an avalanche of misinformation, disinformation, and powerful political and financial interests." The authors are both liberal economists, and they believe that the privatization of Social Security favored by many libertarians and younger Americans would involve great risk and possibly destroy a system of entitlements that has rescued millions of retirees from spending their golden years in poverty. Although they admit the stock market has averaged a 7 percent rate of return over the last 75 years--much higher than anything Social Security can claim--there is no way to predict what will happen in the future; mandatory private investment programs favored by many free-market reformers therefore offer false promises. Only Social Security, say Baker and Weisbrot, provides a guarantee of income for the elderly. Along the way, Read more

Reviews (14)

Inaccurate tabloid mentality economics
This book is more of a left-wing diatribe then real, intelligent economic analysis.

Save Social Security - by enslaving young people
The authors do a wonderful job of ignoring one vital fact - how Social Security actually works.
Excellent book and more relevant than ever
Baker and Wesibrot do a yeoman's job of making the issues confront Social Security and the trust fund understandable and accessible to the average reader. There is so much misinformation (some of it deliberate) and misunderstanding out there on this topic that it's often hard to know where to begin. This book is an excellent place to start.
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Subjects:  1. Finance    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Public Finance    7. Public Policy - Economic Policy    8. Public Policy - Social Security    9. Social Security    10. United States    11. Central government policies    12. Pensions    13. Political Science / Social Security    14. Social welfare & social services    15. USA   

Reviews (2)

Comprehensive
With the search among investors for higher yield and with the asset class being one of the notable outperformers in the recent equity market upturn, Santiso's book on emerging markets (notably Latam) could not have arrived at a more opportune time. Generally speaking, it overviews the most significant empirical findings associated with emerging markets over the past two to three years, locating them within the context of a number of distinct themes. So if one is looking for a comprehensive treatment of the asset class, notably from an academic's perspective, this book is well worth the read. The editor's synopsis is accurate in terms of its overview of the main contents of the book. Comprehensive
With the search among investors for higher yield and with the asset class being one of the notable outperformers in the recent equity market upturn, Santiso's book on emerging markets (notably Latam) could not have arrived at a more opportune time. Generally speaking, it overviews the most significant empirical findings associated with emerging markets over the past two to three years, locating them within the context of a number of distinct themes. So if one is looking for a comprehensive treatment of the asset class, notably from an academic's perspective, this book is well worth the read. The editor's synopsis is accurate in terms of its overview of the main contents of the book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Capital market    3. Economic Conditions    4. Financial crises    5. Latin America    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Finance    9. Public Policy - Economic Policy    10. Stock exchanges    11. Political economy   

Subjects:  1. 1989-    2. Appropriations and expenditure    3. Appropriations and expenditures    4. Bulgaria    5. Business & Economics    6. Business / Economics / Finance    7. Business/Economics    8. Development - Business Development    9. Economic policy    10. Government spending policy    11. International - Economics    12. Public Finance    13. Development economics    14. European studies   

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Community development    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic development    6. Finance    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Public Finance    9. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    10. Social Science    11. Sociology - Urban    12. Business & Management    13. Development economics    14. Finance & Accounting    15. Science / Environmental Science   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Industrial Technology    3. Local finance    4. Mathematics    5. Public Finance    6. Reference    7. Science/Mathematics    8. United States    9. Urban & Regional    10. Business & Economics / Microeconomics    11. Economics    12. Local government