Fragile Futures

The Uncertain Economics of Disasters, Pandemics, and Climate Change
Erscheinungsjahr 2022
ISBN: 978-1-009-10012-0
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 246 Seiten, Format (B × H): 158 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 536 g

This book revisits a distinction introduced in 1921 by economists Frank Knight and John Maynard Keynes: that between statistically predictable future events ('risks') and statistically unpredictable, uncertain events ('uncertainties'). Governments have generally ignored the latter, perceiving phenomena such as pandemics, natural disasters and climate change as uncontrollable Acts of God. As a result, there has been little if any preparation for future catastrophes. Our modern society is more interconnected and more globalized than ever. Dealing with uncertain future events requires a stronger and more globally coordinated government response. This book suggests a larger, more global government role in dealing with these disasters and keeping economic inequalities low. Major institutional changes, such as regulating the private sector for the common good and dealing with special harms, risks and crises, especially those concerning climate change and pandemics, are necessary in order to achieve any semblance of future progress for humankind.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Tanzi, Vito

Fachgebiete

• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Umweltökonomie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen Entwicklungspolitik, Nord-Süd Beziehungen
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Internationale Wirtschaft Entwicklungsökonomie & Emerging Markets
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltpolitik, Umweltprotokoll

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part I. Uncertain Future Events and Reactions to Them: 1. Introduction; 2. Risky versus uncertain events; 3. Taxonomy of disasters; 4. Democracy, capitalism and random events; Part II. A Survey of Past Pandemics and Other Disasters: 5. Uncertain future events and policies; 6. Pandemics, famines and climate change; 7. Major natural disasters; 8. Atomic disasters; 9. Industrial disasters; 10. Economic principles for disasters; Part III. Climate Change and Global Warming: 11. When the Earth became man's private property; 12. Early concerns about the environment; 13. From environmental concerns to climate change; Part IV. Back to Some Theoretical Issues: 14. Human needs and economic theory; 15. Concluding thoughts.

Über Autor(innen)

Tanzi, Vito
Dr. Vito Tanzi has been Professor and Economic Chair at American University, Director for 20 years of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the IMF, and Undersecretary for Economy and Finance in the Italian Government. He is Honorary President of the International Institute of Public Finance (IIPF) in Munich, Germany.