Ralph Turvey – författare

Originally published in 1971, this is a rigorous analysis of the economic aspects of the efficiency of public enterprises at the time. The author first restates and extends the relevant parts of welfare economics, and then illustrates its application to particular cases, drawing on the work of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, of which he was Deputy Chairman.The analysis is developed stage by stage, with the emphasis on applicability and ease of comprehension, rather than on generality or mathematical elegance. Financial performance, the second-best, the optimal degree of complexity of price structures and problems of optimal quality are first discussed in a static framework. Time is next introduced, leading to a marginal cost concept derived from a multi-period optimizing model. The analysis is then related to urban transport, shipping, gas and coal.This is likely to become a standard work of more general scope than the authors earlier book on electricity supply. It rests, however, on a similar combination of economic theory and high-level experience of the real problems of public enterprises.

Originally published in 1971, this is a rigorous analysis of the economic aspects of the efficiency of public enterprises at the time. The author first restates and extends the relevant parts of welfare economics, and then illustrates its application to particular cases, drawing on the work of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, of which he was Deputy Chairman.The analysis is developed stage by stage, with the emphasis on applicability and ease of comprehension, rather than on generality or mathematical elegance. Financial performance, the second-best, the optimal degree of complexity of price structures and problems of optimal quality are first discussed in a static framework. Time is next introduced, leading to a marginal cost concept derived from a multi-period optimizing model. The analysis is then related to urban transport, shipping, gas and coal.This is likely to become a standard work of more general scope than the authors earlier book on electricity supply. It rests, however, on a similar combination of economic theory and high-level experience of the real problems of public enterprises.

First published in 1971, Demand and Supply is an introduction to the economics of resource allocation, often known as micro-economics. Ralph Turvey examines how the economy really works and does not just give the economists’ textbook version, which oversimplifies technology and exaggerates the importance of prices in adjusting supply and demand. Instead of offering theoretical diagrams and imaginary examples, he refrains from expounding those ideas that cannot be simply demonstrated or applied. But he includes sections on retail margins, urban land values, and the value of time – topics rarely dealt with in beginner’s books. Some examples of the examples are: university teachers’ pay; cotton spinning costs; pricing of tin cans; demand for farm tractors; newspaper economics; competition in the bus industry. This is the kind of economics used in practice and rests on down to earth fact finding. This book will be useful for both general readers and A- level and first year university students.

First published in 1971, Demand and Supply is an introduction to the economics of resource allocation, often known as micro-economics. Ralph Turvey examines how the economy really works and does not just give the economists’ textbook version, which oversimplifies technology and exaggerates the importance of prices in adjusting supply and demand. Instead of offering theoretical diagrams and imaginary examples, he refrains from expounding those ideas that cannot be simply demonstrated or applied. But he includes sections on retail margins, urban land values, and the value of time – topics rarely dealt with in beginner’s books. Some examples of the examples are: university teachers’ pay; cotton spinning costs; pricing of tin cans; demand for farm tractors; newspaper economics; competition in the bus industry. This is the kind of economics used in practice and rests on down to earth fact finding. This book will be useful for both general readers and A- level and first year university students.

First published in 1960, Interest Rates and Asset Prices presents an analysis of the determination of interest rates and asset prices with the help of few simple assumptions. The theory can be regarded either as an alternative to the liquidity preference theory or as an extension of it. Like that theory, it is aggregative and simple, but it is applicable not only to interest rates on government securities but also to yields on real assets. Furthermore, it can be formulated in terms of actually measurable variables, so that it is directly applicable to particular situations. This is demonstrated by a statistical example relating to the average yield on U.S. Government securities in the post- war period. In addition to the main analysis the author discusses the role of financial intermediaries and the structure of interest rates, and there is also a re-examination of the determinants of the transactions demand for money. This is book is an essential read for students of economics.

First published in 1960, Interest Rates and Asset Prices presents an analysis of the determination of interest rates and asset prices with the help of few simple assumptions. The theory can be regarded either as an alternative to the liquidity preference theory or as an extension of it. Like that theory, it is aggregative and simple, but it is applicable not only to interest rates on government securities but also to yields on real assets. Furthermore, it can be formulated in terms of actually measurable variables, so that it is directly applicable to particular situations. This is demonstrated by a statistical example relating to the average yield on U.S. Government securities in the post- war period. In addition to the main analysis the author discusses the role of financial intermediaries and the structure of interest rates, and there is also a re-examination of the determinants of the transactions demand for money. This is book is an essential read for students of economics.

Originally published in 1957. This book applies modern economic theory to the subject of land economics. The author is primarily concerned to show the role of analysis, with the main emphasis on urban real property. The first part discusses the working of the price mechanism in the property market. The second contains an extension and application of the analysis to property taxation and to two kinds of State intervention in the use of property. The chapter on the taxation of site values, for instance, is an original, general equilibrium analysis of the effects of taxation. The chapter on Compensation and Betterment, which ends the book, includes an analysis of recent British experience.

Originally published in 1957. This book applies modern economic theory to the subject of land economics. The author is primarily concerned to show the role of analysis, with the main emphasis on urban real property. The first part discusses the working of the price mechanism in the property market. The second contains an extension and application of the analysis to property taxation and to two kinds of State intervention in the use of property. The chapter on the taxation of site values, for instance, is an original, general equilibrium analysis of the effects of taxation. The chapter on Compensation and Betterment, which ends the book, includes an analysis of recent British experience.

Originally published in 1968, this book was one of the first full-scale published studies of the principles of investment planning and of the structure of marginal costs in a public enterprise. The concepts involved were more developed and applied in the world's electricity industries than elsewhere, and this book will be of interest to both engineers and administrators who are concerned with electricity supply, by setting out the characteristics of investment planning in this sector and the implications for cost analysis.