Andrew Leigh – författare

If you read just one book about economics, make it Andrew Leigh's clear, insightful, and remarkable (and short) work. Claudia Goldin, recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics and Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University

A sweeping, engrossing history of how economic forces have shaped the worldall in under 200 pages

In How Economics Explains the World, Harvard-trained economist Andrew Leigh presents a new way to understand the human story. From the dawn of agriculture to AI, here is story of how ingenuity, greed, and desire for betterment have, to an astonishing degree, determined our past, present, and future.

This small book indeed tells a big story.

It is the story of capitalism of how our market system developed. It is the story of the discipline of economics, and some of the key figures who formed it. And it is the story of how economic forces have shaped world history.

Why didnt Africa colonize Europe instead of the other way around? What happened when countries erected trade and immigration barriers in the 1930s? Why did the Allies win World War II? Why did inequality in many advanced countries fall during the 1950s and 1960s? How did property rights drive Chinas growth surge in the 1980s? How does climate change threaten our future prosperity? Youll find answers to these questions and more in How Economics Explains the World.

One of The Economist's Best Books of 2024

A sweeping, engrossing history of how economic forces have shaped the world—all in under 200 pages

“If you read just one book about economics, make it Andrew Leigh's clear, insightful, and remarkable (and short) work.” —Claudia Goldin, recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics and Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University

In How Economics Explains the World, Harvard-trained economist Andrew Leigh presents a new way to understand the human story. From the dawn of agriculture to AI, here is story of how ingenuity, greed, and desire for betterment have, to an astonishing degree, determined our past, present, and future. 

This small book indeed tells a big story. It is the story of capitalism – of how our market system developed. It is the story of the discipline of economics, and some of the key figures who formed it. And it is the story of how economic forces have shaped world history. Why didn’t Africa colonize Europe instead of the other way around? What happened when countries erected trade and immigration barriers in the 1930s? Why did the Allies win World War II? Why did inequality in many advanced countries fall during the 1950s and 1960s? How did property rights drive China’s growth surge in the 1980s? How does climate change threaten our future prosperity? You’ll find answers to these questions and more in How Economics Explains the World.

“Can a short book survey the full history of something so vast and remain readable? To find out, read How Economics Explains the World, by Andrew Leigh. In simple, clear language—and less than 200 pages—it does exactly what its title promises. … Leigh canters through the history of human progress, pausing briefly to explain the economic forces and ideas that drove it forward. … Along the way, readers meet the big economic thinkers who sought to explain these forces. Both finance aficionados and mere novices will read, savour and return to this book.” –The Economist, “The Best New Books to Read about Finance”

How to get more innovation and more equality.

Is economic inequality the price we pay for innovation? The amazing technological advances of the last two decades—in such areas as artificial intelligence, genetics, and materials—have benefited society collectively and rewarded innovators handsomely: we get cool smartphones and technology moguls become billionaires. This contributes to a growing wealth gap; in the United States; the wealth controlled by the top 0.1 percent of households equals that of the bottom ninety percent. Is this the inevitable cost of an innovation-driven economy? Economist Joshua Gans and policy maker Andrew Leigh make the case that pursuing innovation does not mean giving up on equality—precisely the opposite. In this book, they outline ways that society can become both more entrepreneurial and more egalitarian.

All innovation entails uncertainty; there''s no way to predict which new technologies will catch on. Therefore, Gans and Leigh argue, rather than betting on the future of particular professions, we should consider policies that embrace uncertainty and protect people from unfavorable outcomes. To this end, they suggest policies that promote both innovation and equality. If we encourage innovation in the right way, our future can look more like the cheerful techno-utopia of Star Trek than the dark techno-dystopia of TheTerminator.

Distilling years of hard-won success, experience, lessons and management wisdom, this book will help new and aspiring managers be the best they can be.

For new and aspiring managers this exciting book will enable you to quickly learn all the clever and powerful tips, tricks, advice andknow-how that seasoned and experienced managers already know.You will pick up effective ideas and learn powerful, practical skills that will help you become a better, more successful manager who really delivers results.

Make a powerful, positive and lasting impact and become the person everyone remembers, as you discover how Charisma can take YOU to a whole new level.

Learn how to unlock the secrets of being a success with everyone you meet by gaining their agreement, confidence, commitment and admiration.

Packed full of strategies for increasing charisma, you will learn how to stand out from the crowd, communicate with confidence, establish lasting meaningful and life-changing relationships with people on every level, revolutionise your confidence and self-esteem and become more assertive so you can get what you want, when you want it.

This new edition now includes new chapters covering key topics such as leadership and body language.

Top down leadership techniques are outdated. Today’s organisations are horizontally networked and constantly changing. They need leaders who can adapt, accept risk, collaborate and be transparent.

This book distils 40 years of experience into 7 accessible skills that leaders need to thrive in business today. The 7 I’s of Leadership: Individuality, Insight, Initiate, Involve, Inspire, Improvise, Implement.Containing case studies, examples, questions and checklists, this book will enable you to understand the importance of these skills and will show you how to learn and implement them.

Is Australia fair enough? And why does inequality matter anyway?

From egalitarian beginnings, Australian inequality rose through the nineteenth century. Then we became more equal again, with inequality falling markedly from the 1920s to the 1970s. Now, inequality is returning to the heights of the 1820s. The housing and cost-of-living crises we face are some of the defining issues of our time.

In Battlers and Billionaires, Andrew Leigh shows that while inequality can fuel growth, it also poses dangers to society. Too much inequality risks cleaving us into two Australias, with little contact between the haves and the have-nots. And the further apart the rungs on the ladder of opportunity, the harder it is for a kid born into poverty to enter the middle class.

Battlers and Billionaires sheds fresh light on what makes Australia distinctive, and what it means to have – and keep – a fair go.

'Fun, fascinating and fundamentally important. A must-read for anyone who cares about bridging our divides.' —Julia Gillard

'Be warned: this book will open your eyes and prick your conscience.' —Ross Gittins

'A thought-provoking book which emphasises how far we have strayed from confidently discussing public policies that seek to give meaning to our egalitarian spirit.' —Laura Tingle

'This is required reading for every Australian who seriously cares about the fair go enduring.' —Peter FitzSimons

Contents:

First Nations to Federation

Federation to the 1970s – the Great Compression

The 1980s to Today – the Great Divergence

Drivers

Consequences of Inequality

Mobility

What Do Australians Think About Inequality?

What Is to Be Done?