The Economics of Integrity: From Dairy Farmers to Toyota, How Wealth Is Built on Trust and What That Means for Our Future

by Anna Bernasek

Overview

“Anyone interested in understanding what makes our economy work must have this on their bookshelf.” —Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody's

In The Economics of Integrity, acclaimed financial journalist Anna Bernasek presents a deceptively straightforward argument: that the attributes of trust and integrity, beyond being simply virtuous ideals, are actually the bedrocks of a successful economy and culture. Bernasek has written a big-idea book with the readability of Predictably Irrational, and presents a compelling hypothesis that most of the things we take for granted in our lives depend on integrity. In the words of Dan Gross (Senior Editor, Newsweek, and author of Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation), “in an era of structured finance, nano-technology, and complex business models, Anna Bernasek’s timely, valuable, and highly readable book reminds us that the economy runs on something much more simple: trust.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061774133
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/23/2010
Pages:	193
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 5.86(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Anna Bernasek is a regular contributor to the Economic View column in the New York Times. She has been a staff writer covering finance and the economy at Fortune, Time, and Australia's Sydney Morning Herald. She has frequently appeared as a guest commentator on broadcast media including CNN, CNBC, public television, and NPR. Anna lives and works in New York City.

What People are Saying About This

Dan Gross

“In an era of structured finance, nano-technology, and complex business models, Anna Bernasek’s timely, valuable, and highly readable book reminds us that the economy runs on something much more simple: trust.”

Mark Zandi

"Anyone interested in understanding what makes our economy work must have this on their bookshelf."--(Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody's)

Alan Blinder

“In this fascinating little book, Anna Bernasek shows what delivering milk has in common with financial reform. The common thread? Both need mechanisms to ensure integrity. Her insights will stick with you long after you put the book down.”

Rom Brafman

“Bernasek delivers an engaging and enlightening journey into the roots of integrity, building a convincing case for why it is the bedrock of our economy. I learned a lot reading this book.”

Editorial Reviews

Bernasek’s advocacy of a smart, positive spirit is a worthwhile reminder of the perils of a self-defeating negativism in an era of multiple national crises. In crisp, lucid language she lays out her positive approach.

Boston Globe

Bernasek delivers an engaging and enlightening journey into the roots of integrity, building a convincing case for why it is the bedrock of our economy. I learned a lot reading this book.

Rom Brafman

When our businesses and markets operate with integrity we are able to create enormous wealth. Anyone interested in understanding what makes our economy work must have this on their bookshelf.

Mark Zandi

In this fascinating little book, Anna Bernasek shows what delivering milk has in common with financial reform. The common thread? Both need mechanisms to ensure integrity. Her insights will stick with you long after you put the book down.

Alan Blinder

In an era of structured finance, nano-technology, and complex business models, Anna Bernasek’s timely, valuable, and highly readable book reminds us that the economy runs on something much more simple: trust.

Dan Gross