Books published by Institute of Economic Affairs

Reviews the state of utility regulation and competition policy. This book presents chapters on a number of topics, contributed by academics and independent commentators, as well as regulators and heads of the competition authorities.

Argues that instead of traditional approaches to development policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, the focus needs to be on adoption of sound political and legal institutions, with private property rights to encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth. This book examines case studies of property rights reform in the developing world.

Death duties are a minor source of revenue to the British Exchequer. This work analyses the traditional criticism of death duties and adds some arguments based on the concept of saving in perpetuity - saving which is never drawn down, whether or not it was initially planned as perpetual.

It is difficult to imagine financial markets without a state regulator. But it was not so long ago that financial markets in Britain developed their own regulation, without government intervention. This monograph examines the economic case for a statutory regulator of investment transactions and finds it wanting.

Examines the complex relationships between social capital, markets and democracy. This title argues that participation in markets positively enriches and enhances the stock of social capital, while, conversely, democratic politics may undermine it by facilitating divisive rent-seeking by special interest groups.

Discussing how 'wars of ideas' can be waged, this work features essays, reviews and introductions that show how the founders of the IEA successfully fought the conventional 'planning' wisdom of the 1960s and 1970s, providing the ideas which, by the 1980s and 1990s, had brought about increased freedom and a revival in the use of markets.

Considers issues that are central to our understanding of self-employment in the UK. This title offers a review on the evidence of the role of self employment and entrepreneurship in employment creation. It also considers self-employment as a route for advancement of many groups in society that face disadvantage in the labour market.

Charts the development of the rural economy and considers whether government policy has similarly developed. This book analyzes the roles of the public and private sectors in the developing rural economy and questions whether evidence of 'market failure' necessarily justifies government intervention.

Examines the materials being used by schools in HIV/Aids teaching and how teachers approach the subject. This book argues that because of material provided by pressure groups, teachers are exaggerating the Aids problem and failing to stress the extent to which the risk of infection depends on behavior.

Founded in 1948, the Anglers' Conservation Association (ACA) is a voluntary association of angling clubs and individual anglers which brings civil suits against polluters who harm fishing. This title explains the history of this unusual and remarkably effective 'environmental' organisation.

From the mid 1950s to the late 1980s, the authors battled against a conventional wisdom which was hostile to markets. They worked for the IEA. This title provides many insights into how they worked and what obstacles they encountered.

Should economists remain as detached scholars, pursuing their research to the satisfaction of themselves? Or should they try to educate their fellow men and women in economic ideas, hoping to have an impact on economic policy? This title addresses these issues.

Explains how there are substantial gains to be made from countries getting 'easy' policy decisions correct. This work explains how liberal economists, politicians and civil servants often spend much time discussing 'difficult' cases. It uses evidence and analysis derived from the disciplines of both law and economics.

The system of land use planning in the UK dates back to the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act. This title examines government's proposals against economic evaluation criteria. It discusses various options for change to the land use planning system primarily designed to introduce voluntary trading and the privatization of development decisions.

Statements of standard accounting practice (SSAPs) should be limited to disclosure requirements for listed companies and should not attempt to prescribe rules on measurement. There is little evidence that the growth of standards has produced any measurable benefits to the public...

Peter Bauer (Lord Bauer) was an economist of considerable influence, particularly on the prevailing wisdom about the value of foreign aid. This title includes a transcript of a conversation with Lord Bauer in which he speaks about his career, his interactions with other economists and his contributions to economic analysis.

Shows that large scale infrastructure projects can be made self-funding. This book suggests that infrastructure projects bring about a large increase in the value of adjoining land. It argues that a fairer and more efficient means to fund infrastructure projects is to capture and use the increases in land values that they bring.

Considers events such as the Great Depression, episodes of boom and bust in the UK, and the malaise in Japan in the 1990s and the early 21st century. This title shows how monetary policy affects both financial markets and the real economy. It argues that fluctuations in money supply growth led to booms or busts in financial markets.

Uses geographical and economic modeling to examine the potential effects of different types of road user charging schemes. This title explains the results of the modeling. It also looks at the implications of road user charging and identify other policy areas that policymakers would need to consider.

Looks at the history of and the arguments for and against detailed accounting standards. This work concludes that, while there may be a case for the accounting profession to develop voluntary guidelines, the imposition of rigid standards is likely to prevent the art of accounting from evolving.

Free capital movements played an important part in the economic integration and globalisation of the nineteenth century. This work analyses historical experience with capital controls, in Britain and elsewhere, and reviews the theory. It concludes that such controls are damaging and that there is no case for reviving them.

Presents an analysis of the problems of pension provision in the UK and a plan for reform. This book proposes a holistic approach to pension reform that takes proper account of the interaction between pensions, tax, social security and financial regulation.