Economics can be inspiring - often taking a stand against convention, achieving challenging results, discussing unorthodox viewpoints and suggesting new policies. This work illustrates the inspirational quality of economics and shows how this differs from the type of economics studied in many academic institutions. The author introduces insights into economics from a psychological perspective, dealing with issues such as transformation of anomalies, identification in democracy and crowding effects, and focuses on intrinsic motivation and how it is undermined.

This text poses a challenge to traditional economic theory, arguing that people do not act in expectation of monetary gain alone, nor do they work solely to get paid. It aims to show that higher monetary compensation crowds-out motivation, and offering higher pay makes people less committed to their work, and may reduce their performance.

Proposes an arrangement for government to fulfil the needs of its citizens, such as a model of federalism which includes governmental units established by citizens. The authors suggest that this system should be allowed to develop in Europe to safeguard diversity and encourage decentralization.

What makes people happy in life? This crucial question has the potential to shake up economics. In recent years, dissatisfaction with the understanding of welfare in economics and new opportunities for empirical study of people's subjective well-being have spurred impressive and stimulating new research into the 'dismal' science, resulting in increased interest in the economics of happiness. Professor Frey and Professor Stutzer have selected contributions by leading scholars which offer a wide-ranging overview of recent developments. These include an exploration of the economic determinants...

This two-volume set presents a selection of commentaries by respected economists and social scientists that reveal the weaknesses and strengths of several core economics concepts. In the volume "Economic Ideas You Should Forget", the authors question specific hypotheses and reject major economic ideas. In the volume "21st Century Economics: Economic Ideas You Should Read and Remember", the authors state their personal opinion on what matters most in contemporary economics.