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Austerity

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Austerity by Suzanne J. Konzelmann explores the complex and often misunderstood concept of austerity as an economic policy, political idea, and social phenomenon. Tracing its history from the seventeenth century onwards, the book examines the interplay of state spending, taxation, and debt. Through international case studies spanning the 1930s to the post-2008 financial crisis, it assesses the effectiveness of austerity measures and the conditions influencing their success or failure. This accessible introduction is ideal for students and scholars in political economy, economics, and political studies, as well as readers interested in contemporary economic debates.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Recommended for students, scholars, and general readers seeking a clear, thorough understanding of austerity within political and economic discourse and current affairs.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Austerity has been at the centre of political controversy following the 2008 financial crisis, invoked by politicians and academics across the political spectrum as the answer to, or cause of, our post-crash economic malaise. However, despite being the cause of debate for more than three centuries, austerity remains a poorly understood concept.

In this book, Suzanne J. Konzelmann aims to demystify austerity as an economic policy, a political idea, and a social phenomenon. Beginning with an analysis of political and socioeconomic history from the seventeenth century, she explains the economics of austerity in the context of the overall dynamics of state spending, tax, and debt. Using comparative case studies from around the world, ranging from the 1930s to post-2008, she then evaluates the outcomes of austerity in light of its stated objectives and analyses the conditions under which it doesn’t – and occasionally does – work.

This accessible introduction to austerity will be essential reading for students and scholars of political economy, economics, and politics, as well as all readers interested in current affairs.

Series: What is Political Economy?

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise Konzelmann's comprehensive and historical approach to austerity. Geoff Tily, senior economist at the Trades Union Congress, calls it a "valuable contribution" that highlights the policy's long-standing failures. John Quiggin from the University of Queensland notes the book's insight into how austerity undermines welfare state's stabilising effects, often leading to counterproductive outcomes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509534876

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 249g

Pages: 174

About the Author

Suzanne J. Konzelmann is Reader in Management at Birkbeck, University of London

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