Best books by Paul Krugman

If you want to learn more about economics, you won’t find a better expert than Paul Krugman. He’s one of the most influential figures in modern economics and has written a number of books on the subject.

Let’s go through the best books by the Nobel Prize laureate.

Who is Paul Krugman?

Paul Krugman was born in New York City in 1953. He was raised in Nassau County and attended a high school in Bellmore before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics at Yale in 1974.

His impressive education didn’t end there. Krugman earned a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977, where he was a member of the economics faculty for 21 years. Two years later, he became a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

He took a one-year break from his work at MIT when Ronald Reagan hired him in 1982. Krugman was part of the late president’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Another hiatus from MIT economics took place between 1994 and 1996 when he taught economics at Stanford. He also taught economics and international affairs at Princeton University before retiring as professor emeritus in 2015.

After his retirement, Krugman was appointed a professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center.

This professor of economics has a few other jobs. The New York Times hired him as an op-ed columnist in 1999. He also wrote for Fortune, Slate, and Harvard Business Review about macroeconomics and other topics. Plus, he published over 200 articles in professional journals.

The importance of Krugman’s research is monumental. By integrating economies of scale into various equilibrium models, he helped explain what dictates trade and where production stands in an increasingly globalized world.

Krugman also analyzed how countries achieve profitable trade through consumers’ desire for choice and variety. This paved the way for his study of the new economic geography, which shed light on why urbanization has been accelerated and rural areas virtually diminished.

His influence has been so profound that he was named the most significant American political columnist by The Washington Monthly.

Additionally, he won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in Stockholm in 2008 for groundbreaking contributions to New Trade Theory. The American Economic Association also rewarded him with the John Bates Clark Medal in 1991.

Best books by Paul Krugman

Here are the Paul Krugman books you should add to your reading list.

The Conscience of a Liberal

Paul Krugman analyzes more than 80 years of U.S. history in The Conscience of a Liberal. He explains what caused the downfall of the American middle class, drawing on political, economic, and social analyses.

Krugman uses his unique ability to elaborate on complex problems in simple terms. He transforms the talk about social policy like John Kenneth Galbraith, David Ricardo, and a few other authorities.

The Accidental Theorist and Other Dispatches from the Dismal Science

This is a cohesive collection of witty essays that focus on poor economic ideas.

Krugman masterfully addresses the Asian financial crisis, just like he discussed Japan’s liquidity trap in It’s Baaack: Japan’s Slump and the Return of the Liquidity Trap. Other topics include globalization and corporate downsizing.

If you want to enjoy the acerbic yet profound takes by this distinguished professor, this is the book for you. It’s a clever title that depicts America’s trade relationship with Hong Kong and China.

Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future

Basic economics is at the heart of many debates about politics and foreign affairs. Several ideas divide public opinion, such as zombie economics.

Kruger uses the book to tackle many misunderstandings that plague modern economics. He takes stock of where America came from and where it’s going using concise chapters.

The author draws most of his ideas from his New York Times column. He covers an array of problems that are framed and organized thematically. These include healthcare, tax reforms, housing bubbles, and social security.

Rethinking International Trade

This is Krugman’s guide to international trade. He discusses what drives international finance while reopening basic questions about protectionism, trade policy, and other critical matters. He also looks at the importance of technology and history in shaping international trade.

The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008

In The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008, the renowned American economist focuses on economic and currency crises in Latin America and Asia. He indicates that the hardship these regions faced should be a warning sign for America.

More specifically, he considered that the economic troubles that led to the Great Depression were making a comeback. Krugman maintains that the government’s inability to regulate the out-of-control finances triggered the largest crisis since the Great Depression.

Although Krugman was critical of many governmental actions, he also offered steps to get a grip on the crisis and turn the economy around. He wanted to stop global economies from spiraling into deep recessions.

You’ll thoroughly enjoy the style of this book. Despite tackling such a serious topic, Krugman uses lively and lucid descriptions to make his points.

Like his Ohlin lectures, this book can be used to respond to and control future crises due to its invaluable insights.

Fuzzy Math: The Essential Guide to the Bush Tax Plan

When George W. Bush proposed his tax plan, Paul Krugman dissected his actions. He delved deep into the tax proposal to show the winners and losers of this economic policy. Furthermore, he discussed how fast the cuts would devour the budget surplus.

Pop Internationalism

If you want to learn about real economic analysis, be sure to check out Pop Internationalism. The author goes into GDP and other measurements and terms. He uses simple language so you understand how pop internationalists contradict and distort the basics of world trade.

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FAQ

What is the name of Paul Krugman’s blog?

The name of Krugman’s blog is Economics and Politics.

What is the author’s opinion on trade agreements?

Krugman has many views on trade agreements, but he mostly advocates free trade.

When did Paul Krugman publish his first book?

Paul Krugman published his first book, The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century, in 2003.