Edible Economics: The World in 17 Dishes

In Edible Economics, Ha-Joon Chang makes challenging economic ideas more palatable by plating them alongside stories about food from around the world, using histories behind familiar food items to explore economic theory. He believes that understanding the economy is like learning a recipe and that we can change it and the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Economic thinking, encompassing topics such as globalization, climate change, immigration, austerity, automation, and more, is presented in its most accessible and engaging form. For decades, a single free market philosophy has dominated global economics, but this approach has become bland and unhealthful, akin to the British cuisine of the 1980s when renowned author and economist Ha-Joon Chang first arrived in the United Kingdom from South Korea. Just as a diverse range of cuisines contributes to a more interesting and balanced diet, it is essential to consider a variety of economic perspectives.

In Edible Economics, Chang takes on challenging economic ideas and makes them more palatable by pairing them with stories about food from around the world. He employs the histories behind familiar food items, such as their origins, cooking methods, cultural significance, and more, to explore economic theory. For Chang, chocolate is a lifelong addiction, but the insights it offers into post-industrial knowledge economies are even more intriguing. While okra adds a delightful smoothness to Southern gumbo, it also sheds light on the complex relationship between capitalism and freedom and unfreedom. Through his cooking demonstrations of dishes like anchovy and egg toast, Gambas al Ajillo, and Korean dotori mook, Ha-Joon Chang presents a digestible feast of bold ideas.

Myth-busting, witty, and thought-provoking, Edible Economics demonstrates that understanding the economy is akin to learning a recipe. By grasping its principles, we gain the ability to change it, and in turn, impact the world positively. This book offers a valuable perspective on economics, challenging readers to think critically and explore new ways of understanding the complex economic landscape we inhabit.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 196 x 128 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141998336