The Economics of the Family

by Nancy Folbre

Overview

This collection of essays features debate among neoclassical, institutionalist and feminist theorists, providing an invaluable guide to the evolution of economic approaches to the family. The clash of paradigms illuminates some issues of profound concern to economics as a whole, such as the relative importance of altruism and self-interest.

Both abstract mathematical models and interdisciplinary approaches are represented, and the empirical articles explore trends in developing as well as advanced industrial countries. The list of specific topics includes bargaining power models, fertility decline, intergenerational transfers, intrahousehold allocation, class inequality, and state policy.

The editor's introduction provides a broad overview of the fascinating controversies that are emerging in this relatively new field of economics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781858981918
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	06/01/1996
Series:	The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics series , #64
Pages:	720
Product dimensions:	6.62(w) x 9.62(h) x (d)

About the Author

Edited by Nancy Folbre, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, US

Table of Contents

Contents: Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: Neoclassical Perspectives Part II: Institutionalist and Feminist Perspectives Part III: Bargaining Power Models Part IV: Fertility Decline Part V: Intergenerational Transfers Part VI: Intra-Household Allocation Part VII: Families and Class Inequality Part VIII: Families and the State Index

Editorial Reviews

'This is an extremely useful collection of essays by economists on the family that will be of great value to all those social scientists who would like to have a ready reference to the way in which the debates over the new economics of the family have developed since the 1970s. The book provides an excellent guide to the ways in which economic explanation in this complex area has developed in relation to a number of different fields of inquiry, including fertility decline, intergenerational transfers and intra-household allocations.'

Jane Lewis

A collection of previously published essays that highlights the historical dialogue between neoclassical and institutionalist approaches to the economics of the family. The volume is divided into eight sections: neoclassical perspectives; institutionalist and feminist perspectives; bargaining power models; fertility decline; intergenerational transfers; intra-household allocation; families and class inequality; and families and the state. The earliest of the 31 essays is Schultz's "An Economic Model of Family Planning and Fertility" (1969); the most recent is Folbre's "Children as Public Goods" (1994). No subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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