While most books on derivatives discuss how they work, this book looks at the contributions of derivatives to overall economic well-being. It examines both the beneficial and adverse effects of derivatives trading from the perspectives of economic theory, empirical evidence and recent economic history. Aiming to present the concepts in a fair, non-ideological, non-mathematical and simple manner, and with the authors' own synthesis, it draws on economic insights from relevant work in other disciplines, particularly sociology and law. The book also presents some new theoretical ideas and...

This book provides a comprehensive but concise treatment of the subject of Derivatives. It focusses on making essential concepts accessible to a wider audience. The book eschews complicated mathematics and high school level mathematics is sufficient to understand it. It describes and explains various derivative instruments, their use and pricing, and the functioning of derivative markets. It uses a large number of examples to elucidate concepts and illustrate their real life application. A distinguishing feature of the book is that it goes beyond the narrow perspective of derivative traders...