In Economics in America, Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton offers candid reflections on his profession and his experiences as a naturalized U.S. citizen. Upon immigrating to the United States in the early 1980s, Deaton was struck by both America's strengths and its profound societal inequalities. The book clarifies how economics addresses contemporary issues, from poverty and retirement to healthcare, while weaving in Deaton's personal narrative as an academic navigating this new landscape.
Deaton's witty and incisive reflections delve into the daily lives of economists, sharing both their successes and failures. He provides an insider's account of the Nobel Prize journey that led to his own recognition and critically examines the persistent tensions between economics and politics, questioning whether the field transcends the political biases of its practitioners. Ultimately, Deaton explores the extent to which economists might be accountable for America's increasing despair and rising populism, offering a disarmingly frank critique of his own discipline alongside illuminating observations on his adopted country's policy triumphs and shortcomings.
Fans of economics will enjoy Deaton's descriptions of our society, and will appreciate how he constructs a critique of the current system and ways in which we can improve on wealth building in this country.
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