Professor McKenzie proposes and formulates a method composed of operational procedures designed to facilitate the evaluation of economic projects and policies. This method is discussed fully, illustrated by simple examples, and compared with alternative procedures. An outline of a computer program that enables readers to undertake their own calculations is included. In order to present the approach clearly, the author provides an exposition of the fundamental ideas and the main alternative approaches to the problem. These rely on various forms of index numbers and consumer surplus. However,...

In 1991 the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) published Postgraduate Training Guidelines. Throughout the document emphasis is placed on the need for universities to make postgraduate students aware of the methodological issues that affect their work. This text explores the relationship between knowledge, methodology and research practice across the broad spectrum of the social sciences in langage that is accessible to researchers at all levels of their research careers. It follows the themes that there is no single practice or correct methodology, and that the diversity and variety...

The objective of the Single European Act is to establish a European market without barriers, thereby enabling the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. To achieve this end the European Commission has put forward some 300 directives to be implemented by 1 January 1993. The contributors to this volume offer a critical evaluation of the likely effects of these measures for Europe as a whole and for the UK economy, in particular.

The authors argue clearly and convincingly in this book that the debt crisis which has plagued the world economy for the past ten years is due to the inherent fragility of financial markets. Governments, financial institutions and borrowers, including developing countries, have simply expected too much from these markets. In a world of volatile interest rates, exchange rates and uncertain government policy, it is virtually impossible for financial institutions to effectively distinguish fundamental shifts in economic activity from random shocks.

How competitive is the UK economy? Is it capable of responding successfully to shocks emanating from abroad? The five case studies prepared for this volume identify the main problem areas which currently affect the ability of the UK to sustain a competitive international position.