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Hard Heads, Soft Hearts: Tough-minded Economics For A Just Society Paperback – January 22, 1988

by Alan S. Blinder (Author)

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A hard-headed liberal economist, Alan Blinder clearly shows how economic policy is made in America and how good policies often make bad politics. He discusses liberal-conservative divisiveness and shows how it often prevents sound economic advice from being heeded. Blinder offers his own nonpartisan vision for the future of our economic society and challenges law-makers—Democrats and Republicans—to do better.

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 22, 1988
Dimensions

0.72 x 6.24 x 9.2 inches
ISBN-10

0201145197
ISBN-13

978-0201145199
Lexile measure

1210L
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan S. Blinder is the Gordon S. Rentschler Memorial Professor of Economics at Princeton University and a regular columnist for Business Week.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books; Reprint edition (January 22, 1988)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0201145197
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0201145199
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1210L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.72 x 6.24 x 9.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,340,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,610 in Theory of Economics

Customer Reviews:
11 ratings

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R. Harris

Great primer on economics

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2010

Verified Purchase

Although it is out of print, it's well worth searching for a used copy, Although it is pretty dated in its discussion of tax reform, the rest of the book is a great introduction to economists' views on public policy for those who really don't want to read a lot of economic theory. The chapters on the environment and international trade are particularly good.

3 people found this helpful

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Customer

I like

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

I like it very well

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nebert banda

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

Great book, buy it and give it to a republican friend!

Helpful

Peter Myers

Required Reading

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2007

Verified Purchase

I had to read this book to take AP Macroeconomics when I was 17. I could only read ten pages at a time as it bored me to tears. It didn't help with the course at all, and the teacher never tested us on it, but I learned a bit.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

J. Davis

Surprisingly enjoyable and useful

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2010

Alan Blinder does a great job in Hard Hats, Soft Hearts of discussing economic principles in a fair and balanced way. He takes on both leftist dogma (e.g.,strict environmental regulations and rent control),conservative dogma (supply-side economics), bipartisan dogma (protectionism). Unlike Paul Krugman, Blinder never allows his liberal politics to distort his economic arguments.

The title of the book refers to Blinder's contention that one can reach liberal ends with conservative means. He uses the example of the environment--where well-meaning leftists oppose market means such as pollution permits (as in cap and trade) that would deliver the results they want. He warns of a dark future if we don't start learning our economic principles. Even though it's 23 years old, this is a book well worth reading.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Hussein M. H. Allam

A powerful yet unintended message!

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2003

Mr. Blinder does a great job of setting forth sound economic policies that should be adopted by any nation. His chapter on protecting the environment was particularly enlightening. However, I disagree with him on one very specific issue:
- On page 63, Mr. Blinder argues that employees should get a share of a company's net income rather than a fixed wage rate. This is no less than a recipe for disaster. How do you define a company's net income? Upper management would spend most of its time devising ways to understate their results while employees would make a great effort to dispute the company's income statement. In the end the holy grail of economic efficiency would be lost as both parties squabble endlessly. Just look how easily Enron cooked its books.
What really struck me as fantastic was Mr. Blinder's brilliant if unintentional critique of American style democracy. He did this by showing how often the American political process produces mediocre results that fly in the face of simple economics. He turns the spotlight on the damaging effects of lobbying by powerful groups and their vested interests. This was particularly apparent in his chapter on tax reform.
I recommend this title to anyone who is interested in setting society on the road to prosperity. I would also recommend it to anyone interested in knowing just how harmful the US's corrupt brand of democracy is. Perhaps this book's greatest contribution lies in raising the following question:
How can a system be devised that safeguards the ideals of democrarcy and freedom without compromising economic efficiency and equity?

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

R. Davison

Economics untainted by political obfuscation

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2004

Blinder rather superbly shows how sound economic policy needn't depend on soft heads and soft hearts (a defect of liberal policy makers) nor hard hearts and hard heads(a defect of conservative policy makers). Readers of the book will realize that politicians too often force false compromises onto voters. It is possible to enact policies that are good for individuals and corporation, rich and poor. Sadly, it is not economic theory that is lacking, but political will.
This book should be required reading for new voters.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Arnold Kling

My favorite book on economic policy

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 1998

If I were to teach an introductory economics course, this would be my first choice for a supplemental reading. Blinder does a terrific job of explaining the unique perspective that economists have on economic policy. I recommend this book frequently in conversations with people.

17 people found this helpful

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