Dan E. BurrBesprekingen

Apparently I needed fun comics in order to settle in and learn some things about economics and the history thereof. This is a tremendously insightful and accessible introduction to how we got where we are today. If you've always wanted to know more about the field but generally find the details dull, this is the book you need.

A very clear historical review of economics in fun quick comic style.

The author's view comes through quite strongly. He is cynical against the abstract views of economics which do not take into account a holistic societal benefit, including externalities of various sorts.

This book put so many puzzles pieces together for me. Economics, politics, wars, technology, investment, business, management, social issues, climate change and so on. I wish i had read this way way earlier.

Невероятно, но факт: в формате комикса можно рассказать историю мировой экономики, не низводя ее до лубка. Впрочем, некоторые действующие лица по силе воздействия на глобальные события вполне себе супергерои. Знакомство с чередой отцов-основателей «унылой науки» (Смит, Рикардо, Маркс) перемежается с малоизвестными событиями и фактами: так, голландцы, оказывается, в 1672 году попросту убили и съели премьер-министра. Ближе к нашим дням автор оставляет нейтрально-повествовательный тон и его личные пристрастия начинают проступать: корпорации необходимо держать в узде, а Occupy Wall Street и щелчок по носу банкам от исландцев — правильные и своевременные ответы общества.

Бреттон-Вудс, ФРС, МВФ, мыльные пузыри и кризисы — масса поводов получить широкую картину в доступном виде и/или вовлечь ваших детей в увлекательный мир финансов и кредита так, чтобы они сами просили почитать про этого «гадкого Милтона Фридмана».

No joke, the best book I've ever read about economics. An incredibly accessible overview of economic history and theory (with pictures!)

An explanation in comics of how our economy came to be, and how it works and stuff. Was pretty good - I learnt a lot, and found it clear and accessible, but not overly-simplistic. There is a wealth of further reading if you want more detail too, indicating that the text was well researched. The author definitely has some left-wing leanings, which tend to come out more as the book goes along. I happen to agree with his opinions, but wonder if the book might not have been better without them. I got this out of the library, but is a book I'd like for my shelves.

Das Wirtschaftsbuch für Einsteiger Alle sprechen von Ökonomie, aber was versteckt sich hinter all den hochtrabenden Worten und Theorien? Was müssen wir wissen, um verstehen und mitreden zu können? Diesen Fragen hat sich Michael Goodwin gestellt, und er gibt Antworten. In Economix fasst er die Geschichte der Ökonomie verständlich zusammen und überprüft die Realität sowie das Funktionieren oder eben Nicht-Funktionieren der ökonomischen Theorien. Der Erzähler dieses außergewöhnlichen graphischen Werkes hat Antworten auf Fragen gesucht, die viele von uns umtreiben: Wie unterscheiden sich Kapitalismus, Sozialismus und Kommunismus eigentlich voneinander? Was ist der Keynesianismus, von dem ständig gesprochen wird? Was versteht man unter Deflationspolitik oder Deficit Spending? Was versteckt sich hinter Neoklassischer Makroökonomie? Und was, um Himmels willen, ist ein Credit Default Swap? Economix erklärt uns alles, von den Anfängen der westlichen Wirtschaftsgeschichte über wirtschaftliches Versagen und Erfolge bis hin zu Anomalien und Zukunftsaussichten. Und das Buch erläutert ausführlich, wie unsere moderne Ökonomie global wurde und wie sie durch Kriege, Klimawandel und Ressourcen-Engpässe beeinflusst ist.(books.google.de)

Das Wirtschaftsbuch für Einsteiger. Alle sprechen von Ökonomie, aber was versteckt sich hinter all den hochtrabenden Worten und Theorien? Was mu ssen wir wissen, um verstehen und mitreden zu können? Diesen Fragen hat sich Michael Goodwin gestellt, und er gibt Antworten. In Economix fasst er die Geschichte der Ökonomie verständlich zusammen und überprüft die Realität sowie das Funktionieren oder eben Nicht-Funktionieren der ökonomischen Theorien. - Der Erzähler dieses außergewöhnlichen graphischen Werkes hat Antworten auf Fragen gesucht, die viele von uns umtreiben: Wie unterscheiden sich Kapitalismus, Sozialismus und Kommunismus eigentlich voneinander? Was ist der Keynesianismus, von dem ständig gesprochen wird? Was versteht man unter Deflationspolitik oder Deficit Spending? Was versteckt sich hinter Neoklassischer Makroökonomie? Und was, um Himmels willen, ist ein Credit Default Swap? Economix erklärt uns alles, von den Anfängen der westlichen Wirtschaftsgeschichte über wirtschaftliches Versagen und Erfolge bis hin zu Anomalien und Zukunftsaussichten. Und das Buch erläutert ausführlich, wie unsere moderne Ökonomie global wurde und wie sie durch Kriege, Klimawandel und Ressourcen-Engpässe beeinflusst ist. - Mit einem Vorwort des Wirtschaftswissenschaftlers Rudolf Hickel - Ein Muss-Buch für jeden kritischen Bürger.

Dieses "Comic-Lehrbuch" vermittelt auf wirklich einleuchtende Weise ein etwas besseres Verständnis davon, wie (die amerikanische) Wirtschaft entstanden ist und wie einige wesentliche Mechanismen funktionieren - oder eben auch nicht. Leider werden im zweiten Teil, der sich stark mit der jüngsten und allerjüngsten Vergangenheit beschäftigt, zuweilen sehr einseitig durch eine "linke" Brille betrachtet und damit einige aus meiner Sicht wesentliche Aspekte ausgeblendet, die aber ins Gesamtbild gehören würden und vielleicht auch zu differenzierteren Schlussfolgerungen führen würden. Das finde ich schade. Den erste Teil des Buches finde ich allerdings brilliant.

Gelernt habe ich u.a.

- Wirtschaft und Politik sind schlicht nicht zu trennen.
- Kapitalisten sind oft GEGEN freie Marktwirtschaft, und nicht ihre Anhänger
- Die Wahl Trumps kann man durchaus als Folge von verfehlten Freihandelskonzepten sehen, durch die Kapital und Arbeitsplätze ins Ausland verlagert wurden.
- Wirtschaftswissenschaften waren bislang eine erstaunlich unempirische und normativ aufgeladene Disziplin.

Unbedingte Leseempfehlung, aber mit dem Rat, unbedingt die impliziten Prämissen mancher Darstellung, vor allem im 2. Teil des Buches zu hinterfragen.

1.3

Economix is a truly great book that presents the ins and outs of the global economy in a way I've never seen before. It's not just a comic, or a simplified version of economics for kids. It's a genuinely in depth and well researched look at the current state of the economy and how we got here, and why. I would truly recommend this book to anyone who has more than a passing interest in economic policy or questions on why money works the way it does.

I enjoyed reading this comic book with a message. I thought that, especially early on, the author did an excellent job of illustrating his points. Increasingly through the book, it becomes quite political, with the author admitting this himself in the middle. I feel that a left leaning person will identify with this book very well (I picture them saying something like "Give it to them!" or "Tell it like it is"). So why did I enjoy this, as I consider myself at times conservative or libertarian? Well, first off, the illustrations are quite good, with many of them illustrating the point very well. Secondly, I found myself reconsidering some points of my own economic thought.

Now, this opening of my viewpoint became less as I read on. The tone became more shrill and partisan. Many times blame was laid on the conservative side with nary anything said well, but the liberal side is showered with compliments or a shrugging of shoulders (they did the best they could with what they had).

One of the first things that I heard in my economics classes was that Presidents have little to do with how well the economy works. Now, with my understanding of economics - that human activity is economic activity, I quite agree with this position. Consider - we elect one man to control the destiny of 300 million? Really? However, the President is given the lions share of the credit or blame in this book, at least for the 20th and 21st centuries.

Some of the major economic points that are not discussed well or at all include comparative advantage (which does have some discussion early on), the law of unintended consequences, and a discussion of how destruction does not bring economic gain (for example, creation of war implements only bring destruction, not economic gain - the author focuses on how big business gets wealthy from this, but that is tangential). Touching on this, it is not explored how spending (especially governmental spending) distorts or redirects spending on something else (for example, if you were not taxed $100.00, what would you spend it on). This relates to the law of unintended consequences.

One of the major things I took from this book is that government does have a place, a position that I have had for some time, but it was quite vague. Now I agree that somethings the government does quite well, with proper over site from the citizens. I appreciate both city public parks and the national park system that we have, which I believe would not exist (at least not in the form we have today) without governmental support.

Overall, I found this to be a mixture of a delightful and frustrating read, which doesn't surprise me as the author's viewpoints are almost directly in opposition to my own in regards to economics and politics. If the author could have taken a more neutral viewpoint throughout the book, I would hope that the book would have been more enlightening and enjoyable.

Interesting viewpoint on the development of economic theories presented in the context of the history of the world. Explains what theories did good and what did less than good, how ideas were influenced by the society problems at various points in time. Focused more on the Anglo-saxon world and the US, but makes references to other important players. Analysis can be seen as more political as it reaches the present, but this seems an unavoidable problem. Funnily presented as a series of cartoons, makes a very nice lecture/viewing.½

A good explanation of the basics of macroeconomics such as Keynesian ideas and supply-demand curves, but becomes mired in left-leaning anti-corporate ideologies.

While this book does veer quite a bit into politics in its last quarter, it does a wonderful job of showing the interconnectedness of the economic system. It also deals w the history of economic thought by showing how those ideas still impact our policies and outcomes. As a teacher of economics (and history of economic thought), I will be implementing some of this material into the classroom soon and can't wait to see the reaction of my students. Well done!

Economics - a human invention more powerful than the nuclear bomb and about as popular, but less understood. Here's one book to help: Economix, by Michael Goodwin and Dan E. Burr is a comic about economics. With style, wit, clarity and remarkable concision - taking in every major theory along the way - it gives you a lightning tour of the world's current economic system.
This book is packed with juicy information. Within its pages, to pick examples, I found the most nuanced view I've come across yet of the legacy of Adam Smith, an explanation for why it is that so many US food products contain corn syrup - and even a theory as to why mainstream economic debate is still stuck in the 1970s.
We're constantly told by media and politicians that "the economy" influences every aspect of our lives. If that's true, it seems sensible to understand why. This book is a great place to start. Anyone over thirteen could read and enjoy it - and should.

A broad, entertaining, and sobering look at economic theory and history. Definitely opinionated, but I share most of the author's opinions.

I did NOT expect to see a graphic book about economics, nor did I expect to ENJOY a book about economics. It is a topic that I have avoided always, thinking it was both difficult and boring. I was so wrong. I really enjoyed this. It is very basic and I now feel as if I understand a lot more and have a decent foundation for understanding this particular world, which has become more and more important for all of us.

There are eight chapters, each of which covers a particular time period, grouped by important economic events. These divisions allowed me to stop and absorb ideas and ruminate about them before going on to the next thing. It begins with "The Distant Past to 1820", which lays the foundation with some basic definitions and explanation and the others continue to the present time. You will know not only about the effects of the Industrial Revolution and Great Depression, but also about the dot.com happenings, the Savings and Loan crisis, the mortgage and foreclosure mess, and the many government bailouts. And...you will understand. You will know what was done that was legal and caused problems, as well as what was illegal.

I recommend this book to just about anyone from high school on up because it is very well presented but also advanced enough to hold interest. It's one of those books I wish everyone would read so that we can hold our government (ourselves) more accountable. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it.

Outstanding! This book makes economics fun and funny.

An extremely well-written, well-illustrated, and generally well-put-together history of the economy -- primarily the US economy, that is, although with a fair amount of global context included -- from the 17th century right up to the current mess. I found it absolutely fascinating. Seriously, fascinating, to the point where I resented having to put it down so I could sleep or go to work. Who would have ever, ever thought a book about economics could be a page-turner? But this volume managed to painlessly explain things to me that I have never before been able to read about without my eyes glazing over, and actually made the driest parts of American history class -- all those economic acts whose names I memorized just long enough to pass the test without ever really understanding what they were -- seem exciting and relevant. Certainly the last couple of chapters, covering recent history and the present, are extremely relevant, even if their main effect was to make me want to run screaming from the whole horrible mess and set up housekeeping on the moon.

It should be noted that this is not a politically neutral take on the subject. Goodwin has some very pointed (and, in my estimation, generally very sane) things to say about wealth inequality and the problems that arise when huge corporations exert too much influence on the economy and the government. If there is a central idea here, it's that both completely unrestrained capitalism and absolute top-down control are truly terrible ways to run an economy. And it's an idea that's argued remarkably well.

Heartily recommended, whether you think you're actually interested in economics or not.½

Scary. Even if half of it is true. I thought I was an analytical minded academic not easily pulled by the nose. After reading this, I feel just naive. Extremely naive. (Not naive enough to swallow this piece raw though; I have ordered a ton of books on economy which has, I must admit, not interested me in the slightest up to now. How on earth I have been capable of beiing very interested in history, and not interested in the technicalities and forces of economy is beyond me). The book is superb as wake-up call and teaser -