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Markets, State, and People: Economics for Public Policy

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A textbook that examines how societies reach decisions about the use and allocation of economic resources

While economic research emphasizes the importance of governmental institutions for growth and progress, conventional public policy textbooks tend to focus on macroeconomic policies and on tax-and-spend decisions. Markets, State, and People stresses the basics of welfare economics and the interplay between individual and collective choices. It fills a gap by showing how economic theory relates to current policy questions, with a look at incentives, institutions, and efficiency. How should resources in society be allocated for the most economically efficient outcomes, and how does this sit with society's sense of fairness?

Diane Coyle illustrates the ways economic ideas are the product of their historical context, and how events in turn shape economic thought. She includes many real-world examples of policies, both good and bad. Readers will learn that there are no panaceas for policy problems, but there is a practical set of theories and empirical findings that can help policymakers navigate dilemmas and trade-offs. The decisions faced by officials or politicians are never easy, but economic insights can clarify the choices to be made and the evidence that informs those choices. Coyle covers issues such as digital markets and competition policy, environmental policy, regulatory assessments, public-private partnerships, nudge policies, universal basic income, and much more.

Markets, State, and People offers a new way of approaching public economics.



A focus on markets and institutions


Policy ideas in historical context


Real-world examples


How economic theory helps policymakers tackle dilemmas and choices

376 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2020

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About the author

Diane Coyle

29 books45 followers
Dame Diane Coyle is a British economist, academic and writer. Since March 2018, she has been the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, co-directing the Bennett Institute.
Coyle's early career as an economist was followed by a period in journalism including being economics editor at The Independent from 1993 to 2001. She was professor of economics at University of Manchester from 2014 to 2018. She was vice-chair of the BBC Trust from 2011 to 2016 and a member of the UK Competition Commission from 2001 until 2009.
Coyle has written nine books on economics.

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for J N.
97 reviews20 followers
August 25, 2023
Cảm giác hoàn thành được cuốn này thấy thế giới về chính sách công đã dễ nhìn hơn nhiều. Không đủ tri thức để hiểu tường tận tất cả các chương nhưng ít nhất, trong phạm vi não bộ của mình, tôi thích các nội dung được đề cập bởi sự tường minh và lối dẫn dắt đơn giản của tác giả! Rất đáng để học hỏi!
Profile Image for Lucille Nguyen.
195 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2024
Solid overview of key concepts in economics as they relate to public policy, government, and public-decision making. However, not terribly insightful and mostly reads as a textbook rather than anything particularly novel.
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