Hardback
Economyths of Work, Value, and Success in America
Economyths of Work, Value, and Success in America is an examination and critique of the economic mythologies about opportunity and prosperity that underlie our discussions and decision making about public policy. Elisa Jayne Bienenstock and Skaidra Smith-Heisters expose the rich mythology that has emerged since the founding of America as a nation investigating themes such as individualism, self-determination, community, and collective action.
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Critical Acclaim
More Information
Economyths of Work, Value, and Success in America is an examination and critique of the economic mythologies about opportunity and prosperity that underlie our discussions and decision making about public policy. Elisa Jayne Bienenstock and Skaidra Smith-Heisters expose the rich mythology that has emerged since the founding of America as a nation investigating themes such as individualism, self-determination, community, and collective action.
Through contextual storytelling, this unique book introduces the classic lessons of social psychology, economics, sociology, and political science to explore how myths are used as levers of persuasion, evoking complex associations with American core values: freedom, fairness, and equality. Each chapter presents iconic American stories, contemporary examples and counterexamples, and empirical findings to identify the heuristics and biases that sustain adherence to these narratives. Ultimately, this innovative book empowers readers to engage in this discourse and appreciate the creation, meaning, and implementation of economyths.
The novel insights presented in this book will be of interest to students and academics specializing in sociology, American history, American folklore, economics, social psychology, public policy, and political science.
Through contextual storytelling, this unique book introduces the classic lessons of social psychology, economics, sociology, and political science to explore how myths are used as levers of persuasion, evoking complex associations with American core values: freedom, fairness, and equality. Each chapter presents iconic American stories, contemporary examples and counterexamples, and empirical findings to identify the heuristics and biases that sustain adherence to these narratives. Ultimately, this innovative book empowers readers to engage in this discourse and appreciate the creation, meaning, and implementation of economyths.
The novel insights presented in this book will be of interest to students and academics specializing in sociology, American history, American folklore, economics, social psychology, public policy, and political science.
Critical Acclaim
‘Economyths provides a critical reflection on the myths that drive Americans'' thinking about the economy. Using examples that are informative, entertaining, and accessible, Economyths also demonstrates that those myths have more to say about us than they do about the economy.’
– Michael McBride, University of California, Irvine, USA
‘Economyths is a short sharp book that explains, explores, and explodes prevalent beliefs about how economies - and humans - work. Each chapter offers treats, including stories from history and contemporary arts, with enough dollops of social science to support intelligent skepticism.’
– David S. Meyer, University of California, Irvine, USA
‘In a clear and accessible style, Economyths punctures some of the longstanding misapprehensions we have about how American society works – about who gets ahead and how – and in doing so, gives us penetrating insights into the nature of inequality and into the dark truths behind the American Dream.’
– Katherine Giuffre, Colorado College, USA
– Michael McBride, University of California, Irvine, USA
‘Economyths is a short sharp book that explains, explores, and explodes prevalent beliefs about how economies - and humans - work. Each chapter offers treats, including stories from history and contemporary arts, with enough dollops of social science to support intelligent skepticism.’
– David S. Meyer, University of California, Irvine, USA
‘In a clear and accessible style, Economyths punctures some of the longstanding misapprehensions we have about how American society works – about who gets ahead and how – and in doing so, gives us penetrating insights into the nature of inequality and into the dark truths behind the American Dream.’
– Katherine Giuffre, Colorado College, USA
