Hardback
The Economics of Prosperity
Rethinking Economic Growth and Development
9781788117784 Edward Elgar Publishing
This book presents a general theory of the economics of prosperity. Drawing upon both historic and contemporary Austrian economic thinking, it looks beyond merely identifying various isolated causes of economic growth and development to describe and explain the process of economic progress. It brings together various economic principles related to production, exchange, the market division of labor, capital, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic calculation, and a further understanding of how different institutional settings and specific policies all affect the process of economic progress. It also provides a helpful critique of modern growth theory.
Winner of the George F. Koether Free-Market Writing Award 2023
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
This book presents a general theory of the economics of prosperity. Drawing upon both historic and contemporary Austrian economic thinking, it looks beyond merely identifying various isolated causes of economic growth and development to describe and explain the process of economic progress. It brings together various economic principles related to production, exchange, the market division of labor, capital, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic calculation, and a further understanding of how different institutional settings and specific policies all affect the process of economic progress. It also provides a helpful critique of modern growth theory.
The author argues that economic prosperity is not monocausal. It is the happy consequence of a highly developed division of labor, taking advantage of an expanding capital structure, embodied in technically advanced capital goods, all wisely invested by entrepreneurs. All these sources of prosperity require the social institutions of private property and sound money to function well together, facilitating economic progress and human civilization.
The Economics of Prosperity provides a comprehensive explanation of the myriad of factors influencing economic growth and development for scholars, policy makers and economists.
The author argues that economic prosperity is not monocausal. It is the happy consequence of a highly developed division of labor, taking advantage of an expanding capital structure, embodied in technically advanced capital goods, all wisely invested by entrepreneurs. All these sources of prosperity require the social institutions of private property and sound money to function well together, facilitating economic progress and human civilization.
The Economics of Prosperity provides a comprehensive explanation of the myriad of factors influencing economic growth and development for scholars, policy makers and economists.
Critical Acclaim
‘The Economics of Prosperity marvellously shows the way in which the main concepts of Austrian economics are connected with
one another, and readers of the book will get a good sense of the power of Austrian causal-realist analysis.’
– David Gordon, Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics
‘A brilliant synthesis of Austrian theories of markets, capital, entrepreneurship, and institutions along with an insightful critique of modern growth theory. Ritenour shows how economic development results, not from the deus ex machina of exogenous technological innovation, but from gradual improvements in productivity driven by savings, capital accumulation, and an increased division of labor. He rightly emphasizes private property, sound money, and free markets as necessary preconditions for a healthy and prosperous economy and society. Highly recommended!’
– Peter G. Klein, Baylor University, Director, John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, US
‘The Economics of Prosperity is a very important and most notable book that, based on the concept and implications of the entrepreneurially driven dynamic efficiency, opens a truly new era in the field of development economics. The book is very well written and extremely clear and should be read not only by every student of economics but also by everyone interested in how to fight poverty in the 21st century.’
– Jesús Huerta de Soto, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid
‘Professor Ritenour explains why a prosperous and growing economy requires an institutional and cultural framework that encourages entrepreneurship. Economists often emphasize investment and technological developments, insufficiently recognizing the importance of the creative activity of entrepreneurs. Ritenour clearly describes the ingredients that are necessary to produce prosperity.’
– Randall G. Holcombe, Florida State University, US
one another, and readers of the book will get a good sense of the power of Austrian causal-realist analysis.’
– David Gordon, Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics
‘A brilliant synthesis of Austrian theories of markets, capital, entrepreneurship, and institutions along with an insightful critique of modern growth theory. Ritenour shows how economic development results, not from the deus ex machina of exogenous technological innovation, but from gradual improvements in productivity driven by savings, capital accumulation, and an increased division of labor. He rightly emphasizes private property, sound money, and free markets as necessary preconditions for a healthy and prosperous economy and society. Highly recommended!’
– Peter G. Klein, Baylor University, Director, John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, US
‘The Economics of Prosperity is a very important and most notable book that, based on the concept and implications of the entrepreneurially driven dynamic efficiency, opens a truly new era in the field of development economics. The book is very well written and extremely clear and should be read not only by every student of economics but also by everyone interested in how to fight poverty in the 21st century.’
– Jesús Huerta de Soto, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid
‘Professor Ritenour explains why a prosperous and growing economy requires an institutional and cultural framework that encourages entrepreneurship. Economists often emphasize investment and technological developments, insufficiently recognizing the importance of the creative activity of entrepreneurs. Ritenour clearly describes the ingredients that are necessary to produce prosperity.’
– Randall G. Holcombe, Florida State University, US
Contents
Contents: Introduction to The Economics of Prosperity 1. Human action and the economic order 2. The market division of labor 3. Capital 4. Technology 5. Entrepreneurship 6. Modern growth theory 7. Market institutions 8. Development policy 9. Coda: The conclusion of the matter Works cited Index
