Freedomnomics is everything you wanted to know about the world but didn't know economics could tell you.
As the blockbuster bestseller Freakonomics demonstrated, economics can explain everything, from why people behave the way they do to how governments and businesses organize themselves. But are the basic assumptions and conclusions in Freakonomics true? Does the free market usually lead to unintended and negative consequences? Quite the opposite, says John Lott, who holds a PhD in economics.
In fact, says Lott, a wide range of fascinating and peculiar case studies prove the simple adage that if something is more costly, people will do less of it. And, in a refutation of Freakonomics' most controversial idea, Lott shows why legalized abortion leads to family breakdown, which leads to more crime.
Extending its rigorous economic analysis even further to our political and criminal justice systems, Freedomnomics reveals:
–How the free market creates incentives for people to behave honestly
–How political campaign restrictions keep incumbents in power
–Why affirmative action in police departments leads to higher crime rates
–How women's suffrage led to a massive increase in the size of government
–Why women become more conservative when they get married and more liberal when they get divorced
–How secret ballots reduce voter participation
–Why state-owned companies and government agencies are much more likely to engage in unfair predation than are private firms
Entertaining, persuasive, and based on dozens of economic studies spanning decades, Freedomnomics not only shows how free markets really work but proves that, when it comes to promoting prosperity and economic justice, nothing works better.
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"A quite cool book! I was wondering if it's related to my beloved Freakonomics books... and indeed it is, in a roundabout way: it seems to be even correcting them... very cool! The book may not be as entertaining as those but the data analysis seems sound and the solid thinking reminds me of my absolute favorite in the field: Thomas Sowell. I'm off to search for other books by the author!"
— Void (4 out of 5 stars)
“Lott demonstrates how free market principles produce the greatest success…This book is essential to those who seek to understand liberty.”
— Edwin Meese III, former US attorney general under President Reagan“Truly, this is a perspective that is enlightening and worthy of presentation…John Lott has meaningfully contributed to the necessary vigilance toward the preservation of freedom with the tales of his professional journey.”
— John Raisian, Director and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University“Brian Emerson delivers this work as an enthusiastic and inspired economics professor might. It is lively and paced at a smooth tempo. Emerson transports listeners to the classroom and provides meaty ideas to ponder. His voice gives the work both the authority and vision the author intended…Freedomnomics is an easy listen as well as an interesting ideology.”
— AudioFile" This is a response to Freakanomics and explains a lot of the weird things that people normally think are either economic anomalies or are just people being greedy. A large portion of it is devoted to pricing. "
— Greg, 2/19/2014" A sobering answer book to the breathless Freakonomics. Read both and triangulate the truth from there. "
— Tom, 2/14/2014" Counter to some of the arguments in Freakonomics. Based on how the free market works. Very biased book. Lacks good references to back up statements and many points made are not backed up at all yet very conclusive-sounding. There was even some small contradictions. "
— Kevin, 1/23/2014" Scary! It's actually making me question or at least rethink my liberal views. "
— Angie, 1/17/2014" Not just a rebuttal to Freakonomics, though he does address some of its "fuzzy math," this book defends Free Markets, and gives examples of how different kinds of incentives motivate people for better or worse. "
— Jennifer, 1/3/2014" This was a really interesting book obviously centered around economics but with real world examples and statistics. Everybody should be required to read this in high school or at least in college. "
— Northman, 12/29/2013" Utterly forgettable. I cannot stand authors with such a blatant agenda. At least let me figure out the agenda for myself! He lost me when he tried to assert that children are safer in homes with guns. "
— Allison, 12/17/2013" My husband who is an economist thought this book had great economic explanations. I found it a bit dry and not as interesting to read as Freakonomics. I recommend that you read this only if you are required to read it for a class. "
— Sherri, 11/14/2013" Great book. Read my review of Freedomnomics by clicking here. "
— James, 10/30/2013" Conservative when it comes to money, I suggest this book for those wanting a counter argument to socialism. Some of the claims seem naive but still an ok read. "
— Joel, 8/15/2013" Very informative and fact-filled, but I still found "After America" a lot more engaging. "
— Melissa, 7/14/2013" A response to Freakonomics. Some good insight. "
— Aaron, 5/18/2013" While "Freakonomics" gets all the press, this book by John Lott spells out what REALLY goes on. If you want a fun take on he skewed perspective of "Freakonomics", this book offers it. "
— Atchisson, 2/2/2013" Various freakonomics examples and other possible explanations to the ones proposed by freakonomics authors. "
— BLACK, 12/6/2012" Meh. Very one-sided. If you want a more balanced "economic libertarian" point of view, I suggest listening to Russ Roberts podcasts at econ talk. He is always willing to listen to opposing arguments. Lott seems very closed-minded. "
— Kenny, 7/8/2012" Great book, good for all you Marxists out there to learn a thing or two "
— Troy, 2/17/2012" A conservative twist on Freakonomics, and makes more sense. "
— Kristi, 10/9/2011" An interesting read. Not a true retort to freakonomics. I enjoyed reading both books. "
— James, 7/8/2011" While I didn't agree with everything Lott argued for (and against), I did appreciate his perspectives on issues. "
— Brandon, 7/7/2011" Lott takes complex subjects and breaks them down so they are trivial to understand.<br/><br/>A good light read. Very informative. <br/><br/>Lott is not afraid to discuss politically incorrect topics, and prove his point devastatingly. "
— C.W., 3/19/2011" Great overview of the market successes. The market failures exists but the government intervention makes things worse. I disagree about the chapter regarding smoking everything else is well written. "
— Slobodan, 8/14/2010" A response to Freakonomics. Some good insight. "
— Aaron, 3/27/2010" Utterly forgettable. I cannot stand authors with such a blatant agenda. At least let me figure out the agenda for myself! He lost me when he tried to assert that children are safer in homes with guns. "
— Allison, 11/8/2009" This is a response to Freakanomics and explains a lot of the weird things that people normally think are either economic anomalies or are just people being greedy. A large portion of it is devoted to pricing. "
— Greg, 10/19/2009" My husband who is an economist thought this book had great economic explanations. I found it a bit dry and not as interesting to read as Freakonomics. I recommend that you read this only if you are required to read it for a class. "
— Sherri, 9/22/2009" A conservative twist on Freakonomics, and makes more sense. "
— Kristi, 9/11/2009" Meh. Very one-sided. If you want a more balanced "economic libertarian" point of view, I suggest listening to Russ Roberts podcasts at econ talk. He is always willing to listen to opposing arguments. Lott seems very closed-minded. "
— Kenny, 7/14/2009" John Lott is a brilliant guy. "
— Rnlockett, 6/26/2009" An interesting read. Not a true retort to freakonomics. I enjoyed reading both books. "
— James, 5/11/2009" This book was written as a defense of capitalism and a counter argument to freakomnomics. <br/> <br/>I loved booth books, probably because I love a good debate. "
— mostunexpected, 3/20/2009" Counter to some of the arguments in Freakonomics. Based on how the free market works. Very biased book. Lacks good references to back up statements and many points made are not backed up at all yet very conclusive-sounding. There was even some small contradictions. "
— Kevin, 3/19/2009John R. Lott, Jr., is the author of several books, including Freedomnomics, The Bias Against Guns, and Straight Shooting.
Brian Emerson is an actor and technical director with a long career in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore areas.