Edward Elgar Publishing Anti-Blanchard Macroeconomics: A Comparative Approach: Second Edition

Olivier Blanchard, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is author of one of the most important standard macroeconomics textbooks, which is used throughout the world. Endorsed by Blanchard himself, Anti-Blanchard Macroeconomics critically analyzes prevailing economic theory and policy in comparison with alternative approaches. This thoroughly revised edition represents a field of research that has developed through intense theoretical debates, continual empirical testing and the resultant disputes about economic policy. Emiliano Brancaccio and Andrea Califano succinctly explore the relationship between theoretical models and economic policies, providing readers with examples and empirical exercises, and showing how the conclusions of different theories can be empirically tested. This updated second edition examines the links between the issues at the core of macroeconomic debate, including economic growth, economic crises, labour market reforms, government debt sustainability, the behaviour of central banks and the stock market, among many others. Key features: Contains an analysis of the economic policies, consequences and theories surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic Examines the connection between contemporary issues in world politics, economic theory and policymaking It overcomes the typical contradiction between the opportunity to offer students a preliminary mainstream education and the need to nurture rather than crush their critical spirit It helps students to understand that economics is not a discipline that changes in a smooth, linear manner but, on the contrary, represents a dynamic field of research that develops through intense theoretical debate and continual empirical testing, and is shaped by the resultant disputes concerning economic policy Includes the typescript of a lively and informative debate between Emiliano Brancaccio and Olivier Blanchard, together with comparative economic policy examples. Review Acclaim for the first edition: ‘When Emiliano asked me to endorse Anti-Blanchard Macroeconomics, I was a bit taken aback. You can guess why. But I agree with him that we should always question our assumptions, confront them with the facts, and be open to change if the facts dictate it. Questions such as whether we can expect the economy to return to health by itself, whether recessions have permanent adverse effects, whether the interest rate channel of monetary policy works, are essential ones. For the time being, I stand by the conclusions of my textbook, but I am happy and indeed eager to see them challenged.’ -- Olivier J. Blanchard About the Author Emiliano Brancaccio, Professor of Economic Policy, University of Sannio, Italy and Andrea Califano, Visiting Professor, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil and Researcher, University of Milan, Italy