Getting it right : markets and choices in a free society / Robert J. Barro, 1944-.

Preface, ix -- Introduction, xi -- 1. Economic growth ,1 -- Democracy and growth ,1 -- Eastern Germany and the Iron law of convergence, 12 -- New and old theories of economic growth, 18 -- A tale of two cities (growth in Hong Kong and Singapore), 22 -- The optimal size of a nation, or the attractions of secession, 26 -- Europe's road to serfdom: a perspective on European Union, 31 -- Default on sovereign debt, 35 -- Democracy and growth in Peru, 37 -- 2. Monetary and financial policy, 45 -- Argentina and Mexico: Latin lessons in monetary policy, 45 -- Monetary policy: a matter of commitment, 52 -- Guilt and glory at the Bank of England, 60 -- The attractions of price stability, 65 -- 3. Fiscal and other macroeconomic policies, 69 -- Economic report cards on U.S. presidents and U.K. prime ministers, 69 -- Economic advisers and economic outcomes, 84 -- How important are budget deficits?, 89 -- Indexed bonds, 99 -- A program for macroeconomic policy, 102 -- President Bush's last fiscal proposals, 107 -- Infrastructure investment and other public spending, 110 -- Inequality, 114 -- Soaking the rich, 118 -- Retroactivity and other capital levies, 123 -- 4. The power of economic reasoning, 127 -- The first annual contest for best monopoly in America, 127 -- This tax amnesty will work only once, 131 -- School choice, 133 -- Privatization American style, 138 -- Second-Hand Smoke, 143 -- How much is an endangered species worth?, 149 -- Baseball economics, 153 -- Term limits, 157 -- George Stigler and the Chicago School, 164 -- A Nobel prize for Bob Lucas, 168 -- Oh to Be in England, 172 -- References, 177 -- Index, 181.