An Economist Gets Lunch

Economist Tyler Cowen’s gutsy philosophical book explains the damage American food trends are doing to the global economy. Because he is a foodie himself, with a doctorate in economics from Harvard, readers may take Cowen seriously when he throws good-natured jabs at locavores, food snobs and slow-food advocates. He believes politicians and marketing folks with hidden agendas are duping everyone, so if you’re doing more harm than good by buying local, organic food, you’re not entirely to blame. Cowen offers a few truly enlightening economic theories that make his work well worth reading. For instance, note his take on how people who pay 500% markups for beer subsidize your fancy meals and Starbucks latte. That said, his book doesn’t always seem to know what it really wants to be. It’s part food-adventure diary and part purposefully provocative work of economic theory. Cowen offers some chapters that deal directly with the subject at hand, and some that drift off into the virtues of Asian food markets and Southern barbeque. getAbstract advises foodies, economists and environmentalists to sit down and grab a bite with Cowen. Even when he wanders off topic, he’s interesting company.