Christopher Snowdon – författare

This new version of ‘Advertising in a Free Society’ is valuable reminder of the fundamental role advertising plays in society. Although the criticisms aimed towards it, which Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon aimed to dispel over half a century ago, continue to gain support, policy makers and campaigners risk undermining our freedom if they continue this crusade against the advertising industry. We should celebrate the fact that advertising empowers the everyday shopper, rather than undermining both businesses and consumers through constraining the industry.

This new version of ‘Advertising in a Free Society’ is valuable reminder of the fundamental role advertising plays in society. Although the criticisms aimed towards it, which Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon aimed to dispel over half a century ago, continue to gain support, policy makers and campaigners risk undermining our freedom if they continue this crusade against the advertising industry. We should celebrate the fact that advertising empowers the everyday shopper, rather than undermining both businesses and consumers through constraining the industry.

This book attempts to correct many of the economic myths that prevail in public discourse and which are often promoted in schools and even universities. It begins by examining straw men, such as the assertion that economists believe that people behave selfishly or that economists think that GDP is all that matters. The fact that economists do not believe these things at all is easily established and it is surprising that scholars with good publication records (albeit not in the philosophy of economics) can honestly argue otherwise. The author then moves on to look at myths that can be subjected to empirical analysis and easily shown to be false. These myths, such as the idea that the poor are getting poorer while the rich get richer, or that we are working longer hours, are easily rebutted. This is not a book about economic theory, nor does it attempt to settle major controversies. On the few occasions where the subject matter touches on a genuine academic debate, this is acknowledged in the text.For the most part, however, the questions posed can be answered by consulting evidence that is widely available or - in the case of the straw men - listening to what economists actually say.

This IEA publication deals head-on with a number of widely quoted myths about the market economy. In the case of the philosophical myths, such as the idea that economists believe that everybody is greedy, the author, Christopher Snowdon, carefully and entertainingly unpicks the misguided ideas that have taken hold. The author then moves on and effectively disposes of a number of economic myths using empirical evidence that is often ignored by commentators.

This IEA publication deals head-on with a number of widely quoted myths about the market economy. In the case of the philosophical myths, such as the idea that economists believe that everybody is greedy, the author, Christopher Snowdon, carefully and entertainingly unpicks the misguided ideas that have taken hold. The author then moves on and effectively disposes of a number of economic myths using empirical evidence that is often ignored by commentators.

The subject of advertising is often treated with indifference by economists and disdain by the public. Indeed, from time-to-time, there have been calls to ban advertising. Though there has been no general ban, advertising has been prohibited in some sectors and further regulation in this field is continually being considered. Given the importance of advertising in political discussion and the lack of evidence regarding its role and effectiveness, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon published Advertising in a Free Society in the late 1950s. This seminal work provided a dispassionate and serious analysis of the subject. It concluded that advertising played a positive role in communicating information and building brand loyalty. Interestingly, some of the most dishonest forms of promotion came from politicians. Christopher Snowdon has skillfully abridged Harris and Seldon's work whilst adding important modern insights. Perhaps the most important of these is his critique of the claim that advertising coerces people into acting against their best interests.He also finds that the modern economic literature largely supports Harris and Seldon's view that advertising facilitates competition and lowers prices. This new study is an important work for all interested in public policy as well as for those studying marketing in business schools or as part of a professional qualification.

Price controls across many sectors are currently being hotly debated. New controls in the housing market, more onerous minimum wages, minimum prices for alcohol, and freezes on energy prices are very high up the agenda of most politicians at the moment. Even without any further controls, wages, university fees, railway fares and many financial products already have their prices at least partly determined by politicians rather than by supply and demand in the market. Indeed, barely a sector of the UK economy is unaffected in one way or another by government controls on prices. This book demonstrates why economists do not like price controls and shows why they are widely regarded as being amongst the most damaging political interventions in markets. The authors analyse, in a very readable fashion, the damage they cause. Crucially, the authors also explain why, despite universal criticism from economists, price controls are so popular amongst politicians.

Price controls across many sectors are currently being hotly debated. New controls in the housing market, more onerous minimum wages, minimum prices for alcohol, and freezes on energy prices are very high up the agenda of most politicians at the moment. Even without any further controls, wages, university fees, railway fares and many financial products already have their prices at least partly determined by politicians rather than by supply and demand in the market. Indeed, barely a sector of the UK economy is unaffected in one way or another by government controls on prices. This book demonstrates why economists do not like price controls and shows why they are widely regarded as being amongst the most damaging political interventions in markets. The authors analyse, in a very readable fashion, the damage they cause. Crucially, the authors also explain why, despite universal criticism from economists, price controls are so popular amongst politicians.

In the noise of the debate about the EU, it is rare for fundamental questions to be asked. For example, for what purposes should we have international institutions at all? Does the EU meet those purposes and, if not, is reform possible? This book considers these questions. An international team of renowned authors looks at each area of economic policy in which the EU has an interest, as well as at the governing structures of the EU, and asks what, if anything, the EU should be doing. In most cases, this is then compared with the status quo and against the possibility of Brexit in order to help the reader make a judgement, in each policy area, about which would be the best direction for Britain to take. As well as providing a fine contribution to the Brexit debate, the authors of this book provide a framework for evaluating the results of renegotiation together with a long-term programme for reform. The usefulness of this timely book will long outlive the referendum debate. The book asks – and answers – the fundamental questions that are rarely considered by the political classes.

In the noise of the debate about the EU, it is rare for fundamental questions to be asked. For example, for what purposes should we have international institutions at all? Does the EU meet those purposes and, if not, is reform possible? This book considers these questions. An international team of renowned authors looks at each area of economic policy in which the EU has an interest, as well as at the governing structures of the EU, and asks what, if anything, the EU should be doing. In most cases, this is then compared with the status quo and against the possibility of Brexit in order to help the reader make a judgement, in each policy area, about which would be the best direction for Britain to take. As well as providing a fine contribution to the Brexit debate, the authors of this book provide a framework for evaluating the results of renegotiation together with a long-term programme for reform. The usefulness of this timely book will long outlive the referendum debate. The book asks – and answers – the fundamental questions that are rarely considered by the political classes.

Eating sugary food, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are legal activities. But politicians still use the law to discourage them. They raise their price, prohibit or limit their advertisement, restrict where they can be sold and consumed, and sometimes ban them outright. These politicians thereby violate John Stuart Mill’s famous principle that people should be free to do whatever they like, provided they harm no one but themselves.Why? What can justify these paternalistic policies?Killjoys reviews the full range of justifications that have been offered: from the idea that people are too irrational to make sensible decisions to the idea that they are effectively compelled by advertising to harm themselves.The author, Christopher Snowdon, exposes the logical or factual errors that undermine each purported justification. He thus provides a comprehensive critique of the health paternalism that has been adopted by governments around the world.

Eating sugary food, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are legal activities. But politicians still use the law to discourage them. They raise their price, prohibit or limit their advertisement, restrict where they can be sold and consumed, and sometimes ban them outright. These politicians thereby violate John Stuart Mill's famous principle that people should be free to do whatever they like, provided they harm no one but themselves. Why? What can justify these paternalistic policies? Killjoys reviews the full range of justifications that have been offered: from the idea that people are too irrational to make sensible decisions to the idea that they are effectively compelled by advertising to harm themselves. The author, Christopher Snowdon, exposes the logical or factual errors that undermine each purported justification. He thus provides a comprehensive critique of the health paternalism that has been adopted by governments around the world.

Eating sugary food, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are legal activities. But politicians still use the law to discourage them. They raise their price, prohibit or limit their advertisement, restrict where they can be sold and consumed, and sometimes ban them outright. These politicians thereby violate John Stuart Mill's famous principle that people should be free to do whatever they like, provided they harm no one but themselves. Why? What can justify these paternalistic policies? Killjoys reviews the full range of justifications that have been offered: from the idea that people are too irrational to make sensible decisions to the idea that they are effectively compelled by advertising to harm themselves. The author, Christopher Snowdon, exposes the logical or factual errors that undermine each purported justification. He thus provides a comprehensive critique of the health paternalism that has been adopted by governments around the world.