Kindle Price: $34.79

Save $4.20 (11%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

eTextbook features:
  • Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
  • In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
  • Create digital flashcards instantly
Read with our free app
Rent
$15.19

Today through selected date:

Rental price is determined by end date.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
eTextbook features:
  • Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
  • In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
  • Create digital flashcards instantly
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Behind the Model: A Constructive Critique of Economic Modeling (Strategies for Social Inquiry) Kindle Edition

by Peter Spiegler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
See all formats and editions
This ambitious book looks 'behind the model' to reveal how economists use formal models to generate insights into the economy. Drawing on recent work in the philosophy of science and economic methodology, the book presents a novel framework for understanding the logic of economic modeling. It also reveals the ways in which economic models can mislead rather than illuminate. Importantly, the book goes beyond purely negative critique, proposing a concrete program of methodological reform to better equip economists to detect potential mismatches between their models and the targets of their inquiry. Ranging across economics, philosophy, and social science methods, and drawing on a variety of examples, including the recent financial crisis, Behind the Model will be of interest to anyone who has wondered how economics works - and why it sometimes fails so spectacularly.
Previous page
  1. ISBN-13
    978-1107069664
  2. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  3. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2015
  5. Part of series
    Strategies for Social Inquiry
  6. Language
    English
  7. File size
    1282 KB
  8. See all details
Next page
Next 5 for you in this series See full series
Total Price: $172.75
By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of Use

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book takes us quickly beyond all the standard criticisms of the use of mathematical formalism in economics to broader questions of how mathematical and verbal argumentation connect to our understanding of the real world. Behind the Model is the most sophisticated discussion of the role of mathematical formalism in economics in decades, and its influence will be long lasting."
William Milberg, Dean and Professor of Economics, The New School for Social Research

"The 2007–09 global financial crisis and Great Recession demonstrated that the most prestigious economic models were incapable of recognizing, much less preventing, the debacle. How could this be possible? Peter Spiegler's critique of mainstream mathematical modeling methodology delivers a compelling explanation. More important still, Speigler advances alternative theoretical and empirical methodologies that are capable of reframing economics as a viable scientific endeavor. Behind the Model is a deeply insightful work that should force all open-minded economists to rethink their most basic presuppositions and practices."
Robert Pollin, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts, Amherst

About the Author

Peter Spiegler is Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0148L4MSC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (September 3, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1282 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 231 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
4 global ratings

Top review from the United States

John Kane
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an academic not a popular book but an ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is an academic not a popular book but an important one if you're interested in or puzzled or infuriated by economists and their models. It is labeled a 'constructive' critique and so it is, but its overall analysis (which is very persuasive) is extremely destructive of most mathematical modeling as currently practiced. It should be required reading for anyone undertaking econ courses at university, and I await with interest responses from its target audience, mainstream economists.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report