Narrative Economics - Book Summary

In this book, Keynes critiques the Treaty of Versailles, particularly its economic provisions, which he believed were overly punitive and would lead to widespread economic suffering and instability in Europe. He argues that the treaty breached the principles of the Armistice agreement and the Fourteen Points, and that the reparations demanded from Germany were unrealistic and would have devastating economic consequences. Keynes also provides a personal account of the key players at the Paris Peace Conference and predicts that the treaty's terms could sow the seeds for future conflicts.

Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.

In this book, Robert J. Shiller argues that economic events are significantly driven by contagious narratives or stories that spread among the public. He contends that these narratives, whether true or false, can go viral and impact economic decisions, such as investments, spending, and saving. Shiller uses historical examples, including stock market crashes, the rise and fall of Bitcoin, and the Great Depression, to illustrate how these narratives shape economic outcomes. He advocates for incorporating the study of these narratives into economic analysis to better predict and mitigate financial crises and other major economic events.