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Edible Economics
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Edible Economics

A Hungry Economist Explains the World

Ha-Joon Chang
Public Affairs, 2023

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Overview
  • Eloquent
  • Engaging

Recommendation

With several best-selling titles already under his belt, economist Ha-Joon Chang takes a different approach in this book, blending important economic concepts with stories relating to food. For example, he notes the significant role of garlic in his native South Korean culture and economy, and so he outlines his text with food-titled chapter headings – like “Noodles” and “Chocolate” – that explore the direct and tangential impacts these items have on socioeconomic issues. Chang, an eloquent writer, offers the economics-hesitant reader an appetizing menu that encompasses economic theory, history and development.

Take-Aways

  • The world of food and cooking can impart some insightful lessons to budding economists.
  • The national and cultural stereotypes used to explain diverging economic outcomes fall apart on closer inspection.
  • One of the most misleading insinuations in economics is that successful countries are rich because of free trade.

About the Author

Ha-Joon Chang teaches economics at SOAS University of London. He is the author of Economics: The User’s Guide; Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism; and 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism.

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