This book examines the opportunities opened up for financial cooperatives by the recent financial crisis, and explores the role of these institutions in promoting and sustaining local development. The global financial crisis has not only shown the limits of the mainstream theory of markets and rational expectations, but has also generated a great deal of disillusionment with the banking system and underlined the importance of a healthy society for the welfare of the individual. Consequently, new and innovative ways of providing finance are needed, especially for strengthening the development of local societies.

Product Description: The book aims at offering a comparative, multi-perspective analysis of the different, at times parallel, at times with varying degrees of interdependence, macroeconomic and structural adjustments in the two continents against the backdrop of important processes of regional integration...read more

The European economic crisis has been ongoing since 2008 and while austerity has spread over the continent it has failed to revive economies. The media have played an important ideological role in presenting the policies of economic and political elites in a favourable light, even if the latter's aim has been to shift the burden of adjustment onto citizens. This book explains why, using a critical political economic perspective and focusing on the case of Ireland to draw conclusions often applicable to other countries in crisis. Throughout, Ireland is compared with contemporary and historical examples to contextualise the arguments made. This book covers the housing bubble that led to the crash, the rescue of financial institutions by the state, the role of the European Union and International Monetary Fund, austerity, and the possibility of leaving the eurozone for Europe's peripheral countries. Through a systematic analysis of Ireland's main newspapers, it is argued that the media reflect the views and interests of those in power and downplay alternative policies that could lead to more progressive responses to the crisis.

Why does capital formation often fail to occur in developing countries? Capital and Collusion explores the political incentives that either foster growth or steal nations' growth prospects. Hilton Root examines the frontier between risk and uncertainty, analyzing the forces driving development in both developed and undeveloped regions. In the former, he argues, institutions reduce everyday economic risks to levels low enough to make people receptive to opportunities for profit, stimulating developments in technology and science. Not so in developing countries. There, institutions that specialize in sharing risk are scarce. Money hides under mattresses and in teapots, creating a gap between a poor nation's savings and its investment. As a consequence, the developing world faces a growing disconnect between the value of its resources and the availability of finance. What are the remedies for eliminating this disparity? Root shows us how to close the growing wealth gap among nations by building institutions that convert uncertainty into risk. Comparing China to India, Latin America to East Asia, and contemporary to historical cases, he offers lessons that can help the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to tackle the political incentives that are the source of poor governance in developing nations.

Is there more the government could do to help the UK economy grow faster?What will happen to house prices in the future? Is competition good for consumers?An understanding of economics will not just help you to understand the world around you, it will also help you to make sense of the issues that directly affect you.Foundations of Economics is an essential introduction to the subject designed specifically with undergraduate students in mind. The author's highly accessible and engaging writing style is combined with a wealth of questions, examples, reflection points, and case studies to ensure students fully understand key topics, and are able to develop and apply their knowledge throughout.The book is divided into two clear parts to help students navigate and connect the main principles of economics. Part one focuses on microeconomics and individual markets, by analysing topics such as demand, supply, costs, competition, and the free market. This ensures students have a sound grasp of the key microeconomic theories underpinning the subject. The second part of the book then tackles macroeconomic issues and the wider economy, by exploring contemporary topics including fiscal policy, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and international trade. The third edition offers an increased number of questions at the end of every chapter, as well as assignment questions designed to further strengthen and expand students' understanding of key topics. Fully updated case studies and economics in context boxes illustrate the practical application of economics, and emphasise how this relates to everyday life in an international context. The book offers a wealth of carefully designed learning tools to build a sound knowledge of economics in a step-by-step approach. Both accessible and comprehensive, this is must-read textbook for those looking to understand more about a subject that has a real and significant impact on our day-to-day lives.Foundations of Economics is accompanied by a fully integrated Online Resource Centre, offering a range of supporting materials for students and registered lecturers.For students:- Visual walkthroughs of key concepts- Author blog- Comprehensive solutions to 'put it into practice' questions from the book- MCQs- Advanced material- Flashcard glossaries- Additional chapter on business strategy- Web links- Additional 'advise the government' questionsFor registered lecturers:- PowerPoint slides- Instructor's manual- Test bank- Guide to 'advise the government' questions

Britain's leading guru looks to the future. Charles handy is one of the giants of contemporary thought. His books on management - including understanding organizations and gods of management - have changed the way we view business. His work on broader issues and trends - such as beyond certainty - has changed the way we view society. In the second curve, handy builds on a life's work to glimpse into the future and see what challenges and opportunities lie ahead. He looks at current trends in capitalism and asks whether it is a sustainable system. He explores the dangers of a society built on credit. He challenges the myth that remorseless growth is essential. He even asks whether we should rethink our roles in life - as students, parents, workers and voters - and what the aims of an ideal society of the future should be. Provocative and thoughtful as ever, he sets out the questions we all need to ask ourselves - and points us in the direction of some of the answers.

The landscape of the world economy has been significantly reshaped in recent years. The global economic crisis revealed the fragile foundations of the international financial system, and, in its wake, dynamics of economic power have considerably adjusted. In the fifth edition of this best-selling text, these developments are incorporated into a comprehensive introduction to the global political economy. It takes full account of the emergence of China as a contender to the predominance of the US, of the changing role of the BRICS economies more generally, and of the on-going problems of the European Union, and especially the eurozone.While incorporating the latest developments, Global Political Economy continues to provide a historically-grounded account. It traces the evolution of the global economy, from its roots in the 15th century, through the Industrial Revolution, to the post-1945 world order. It then explores in detail the dynamics of global political economy in the 21st century, providing systematic coverage of the key spheres of activity – trade, production, finance, labour, gender, development, the environment, ideas, security and governance. Lucid, engaging and authoritative, Global Political Economy introduces an unusually wide range of theoretical approaches, moving beyond a traditional three-paradigm perspective to show how these theories can be applied and how useful they are for understanding key issues and developments.

With its roots in history and eyes on the future, this book gives readers a balanced perspective of why our economic society is the way it is and where it may be headed by tracing its development from the Middles Ages to the present. Showing that today's economic problems cannot be understood unless we have an understanding of how they first arose, it explores the catalytic role past economic trends and dynamics have played in creating the present challenges we face, and offers suggestions on how we may deal with them most effectively.Focuses on problems and challenges of capitalism after the Golden Age (1945-1973), examining why the age came to an end and how globalization and income inequalities have changed the nature of capitalism. Considers the prospects of capitalism, outlines the essential features of a capitalist system, and stresses that capitalism can take many forms. Explores the concept of institutions, paying particular attention to the relation between states and markets, and workers and employers.