Economics Uncut: A Complete Guide to Life, Death and Misadventure

'Economics recently has developed an imperialistic policy. Economists now write on many, many things which were not included in the traditional economic curriculum. This book is an example, but the reader may think that it should have been included in the traditional curriculum. All the activities analyzed have economic implications and the study is a good example of applying economics in new areas. The reader may be a bit shocked by applying economics to such things as prostitution, but I think he will conclude that economics has something to say and that practical people trying to organize government controls in many areas would gain by reading this book.'
- Gordon Tullock, George Mason University
'Who would not be curious to know what economics can tell us about drugs, crime, sex, religion and sports? So read this book - it demonstrates convincingly how much standard economics provides us with great new insights.'
- Bruno S. Frey, University of Zurich, Switzerland
'Economics is all around us, and this terrific collection highlights the role of economic forces even in domains where the reader may not expect it. As a collection, the book's chapters make the case forcefully that economic incentives are embedded in all domains of life, and that even sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll are amenable to economic analysis. A collection that showcases modern economics as the lively discipline it is. It would hard to be a student and not be excited by the possibilities.'
Justin Wolfers, University of Pennsylvania
'This fascinating book shows that economics can be used to understand almost every aspect of human behavior: the consumption of addictive goods, divorce, pornography, sports, religion, suicide, criminal behavior, abortion, and rock 'n' roll. The conventional wisdom is that these behaviors should be studied by sociologists and psychologists. Simon Bowmaker and his collaborators demonstrate the fallacy of this proposition with great insight and clarity. Their analysis is provocative, penetrating, profound, and always entertaining. The reader is quite likely to conclude that there is only one social science. All in all a most remarkable book. Bravo!'
- Michael Grossman, City University of New York Graduate Center
This highly innovative and intriguing book applies principles of microeconomics to unusual settings to inspire students, teachers and scholars alike in the 'dismal science'. Leading experts show how economics reaches into the strangest of places and throws light onto the occasionally dark side of human nature.
'Sins and Needles' examines the economics of drug addiction, prohibition and liberalization; 'Guns and Roses' looks at the contribution economists can make to understanding crime as well as marriage and divorce; 'Body and Soul' investigates the economics of pornography, prostitution, suicide and religion; 'Conception and Rejection' explores the controversial economics of assisted reproduction and abortion; and 'Fun and Games' considers the economics of sport, gambling and music.
Not only does Economics Uncut illustrate how economics can be used to promote our understanding of a broad range of human behavior, but it also draws upon research conducted in other disciplines from the social sciences. As such, this fascinating and highly accessible book will be of great interest to academics, students and researchers in economics, criminology, sociology, and psychology alike.
Contributors: B.L. Benson, S.W. Bowmaker, S. Cameron, L. Friedberg, D.D. Friedman, J. Goddard, F. Heiland, R.D. Johnson, L.H. Kahane, S.A. Kossoudji, J.A. Miron, P.G. Moffatt, R.J. Phillips, R. Simmons, P.J. Sloane, S.N. Stern, R.J. Stonebraker, M. Thornton