The Economics of Belonging

Author: Martin Sandbu

Date: 15/06/2020

Published by the Foundation’s journalist fellow, Martin Sandbu, this fascinating new book explores a radical new approach to economic policy that addresses the symptoms and causes of inequality in Western society today.

 

Fuelled by populism and the frustrations of the disenfranchised, the past few years have witnessed the widespread rejection of the economic and political order that Western countries built up after 1945. Political debates have turned into violent clashes between those who want to “take their country back” and those viewed as defending an elitist, broken, and unpatriotic social contract. There seems to be an increasing polarization of values.  The Economics of Belonging  argues that we should step back and take a fresh look at the root causes of our current challenges.

 

In this original, engaging book, Martin Sandbu argues that economics remains at the heart of our widening inequality and it is only by focusing on the right policies that we can address it. He proposes a detailed, radical plan for creating a just economy where everyone can  belong. 

 

 

 

 

 

The global pandemic has exposed the inequalities within our economy and policymakers are looking for new solutions. Martin’s book helps us understand how our economy has got to where it is, and lays out a platform of ideas about how to create a more inclusive economy. The Friends Provident Foundation believes in creating a greater plurality of ideas to feed into economic policymaking and so we are delighted to have supported Martin through our Journalist Fellowship to have developed his ideas.

Chair of Friends Provident Foundation, Hetan Shah

Martin demonstrates that the rising numbers of the left behind are not due to globalization gone too far. Rather, technological change and flawed but avoidable domestic policies have eroded the foundations of an economy in which everyone can participate – and would have done so even with a much less globalized economy. He contends that we have to double down on economic openness while pursuing dramatic reforms involving productivity, regional development, support for small– and medium-sized businesses, and increased worker representation and he discusses how a more active macroeconomic policy, education for all, universal basic income, and better taxation of capital could work together for society’s  benefit. 

 

Offering real answers, not invective, for facing our most serious political issues,  The Economics of Belonging  shows how a better economic system can work for  all. 

 

SPECIAL OFFER for friends and partners of Friends Provident Foundation!   The Economics of Belonging by Martin Sandbu at 25% discount plus free shipping.

  

In his original, engaging book The Economics of Belonging: A Radical Plan to Win Back the Left Behind and Achieve Prosperity for All, Martin Sandbu argues that economics remains at the heart of our widening inequality and it is only by focusing on the right policies that we can address it. He discusses how a more active macroeconomic policy, education for all, universal basic income, and better taxation of capital could work together for society’s benefit. 

 

Visit Princeton University Press to order your copies of The Economics of Belonging at 25% discount with free delivery. Please use the special offer code SAN20 to redeem your offer. Offer available until 31 December 2020.