Sex, Drugs and Economics: An Unconventional Introduction to Economics

Citation

(2003), "Sex, Drugs and Economics: An Unconventional Introduction to Economics", Work Study, Vol. 52 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2003.07952cae.006

Sex, Drugs and Economics: An Unconventional Introduction to Economics

Sex, Drugs and Economics: An Unconventional Introduction to Economics

Diane CoyleTexere£16.99ISBN: 1587991470

Economics is not the easiest subject to understand – but it does impact on all our lives. The world is subject to the "laws" of economics – we should be acquainted with them. Diane Coyle tries to take a different approach to the subject but it does not necessarily make it easier to understand. She does a good job of using examples and illustrations that get the message across – using fields from pop music through transport to sport. She claims – and demonstrates quite effectively – that there is little that is new; supply and demand explain a lot of – but not all and not necessarily completely – current phenomena. Coyle does pose the question (later answered) as to why, if prostitution has such an hourly rate of pay, why do not more people take it up as a profession!

Of course, economic theory has changed substantially over the years – and there are still debates over how "economics" works. To the uninitiated, at least, it often seems more of a black art than a science.

The book is described as an introduction but not many of us would want to go much further! Only those committed to economics as a discipline could share Coyle's passion. However, the book is interesting – and it has a very useful glossary. If you have to learn something about this "dismal science", this book is one of the better ways.