This image is the cover for the book Bulls, Bears and Golden Calves

Bulls, Bears and Golden Calves

Self-interest, economic efficiency and private property rights are among the most basic assumptions of market economics. But can an economic theory built on these assumptions alone provide adequate insight into human nature, motivation and ultimate goals to guide our economic life? John Stapleford says no, along with those economists who recognize the limits of their discipline. He insightfully shows us in detail how ethics are inextricably intertwined with economic life and analysis. Writing from a Christian ethical perspective, he interacts with seven standard introductory economics texts, exploring the moral challenges embedded in various macro-, micro- and international economic theories and outlining a faithful response to them. The third edition includes two new chapters on economics as a science and global poverty plus expanded discussions of entitlements, government debt, healthcare reform and immigration reform. Keyed to seven of the most widely used introductory economics texts—Gwartney, Stroup Sobel; Mankiw; Mansfield Behravesh; McConnell Brue; Miller; Samuelson Nordhaus; and Stiglitz—this book will be especially useful for introductory courses in economics.

John E. Stapleford

John E. Stapleford (PhD, University of Delaware) is president of the Caesar Rodney Institute, an education nonprofit. He is also principle in DECON First and a professor emeritus of economic development with Eastern University. Previously he was an associate director and senior economist with Moody's Analytics, and for two decades he was the director of the Bureau of Economic Research at the University of Delaware and founded the Delaware Small Business Development Center. With a graduate degree in government and planning and a doctorate degree in urban and regional economics, Stapleford has been published in many professional journals includingGrowth and Change, Christian Scholars Review, Journal of Markets Morality, Faith Economics, Journal of Biblical Integration in Business and the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management. He is also the author of Bulls, Bears and Golden Calves: Applying Christian Ethics in Economics.

InterVarsity Press