David W. ConklinCambridge University Press, 9/26/1991EAN 9780521344395, ISBN10: 0521344395Hardcover, 428 pages, 23.4 x 16 x 2.5 cmLanguage: EnglishOriginally published in EnglishThe phrase 'economic system' refers to the organizational arrangements and processes through which a society makes its production and consumption decisions. In this book, Professor Conkin explores the diversity of economic systems and the choices societies must face in determining the economic systems best suited to their needs. He discusses the alternative objectives and alternative decision modes that are available to societies. Objectives such as efficiency, growth, liberty, and equality - though themselves desirable - frequently involve trade-offs; the more complete attainment of any one objective may involve the partial sacrifices of another. In pursuit of its objectives, each society uses a combination of decision modes. Professor Conklin examines six of these: free enterprise, price controls, subsidies, taxation, non-price regulations, and public enterprise. He ends with a discussion of the processes societies use to make their choice among objectives and decision modes.Acknowledgements1. Introductory overviewPart I. Objectives2. Efficiency and growth3. Liberty and equalityPart II. Decision Modes4. Free enterprise5. Price controls6. Subsidies7. Taxation8. Non-price regulations9. Public enterprisesPart III. Choosing Objectives and Decision Modes10. Reform and revolution11. Constraints imposed by the new world economyNotesIndex.
