Ross Gittins

This book is a reference work with an encyclopedic range, offering contemporary and systematic comparisons between the United States and 17 other economically advanced, stable liberal democracies, as well as some more global comparisons. It offers international data on as many aspects of social life as possible, from taxation to traffic accidents, homicide rates to health expenditure, and interest rates to internet usage. Wherever possible, it offers not only the most recent available data but also trends over decades. The discussion focuses on changes over time and comparisons between countries. Sometimes the contrasts are striking; sometimes the commonalities are more instructive. Often national political debates are conducted in a vacuum, and examining comparative data on policies, performance, and prospects can give a better perspective.

Can any other economics guru claim to write the column in a daily newspaper that people turn to first? Or to pack the auditorium at a literary festival? Be it climate change, productivity, fairness, industrial relations, terrorism, media, the mining boom, the GFC, refugees and even economists themselves, every thorny topic under the sun is covered in sane and rational fashion. Gittins' Gospel collects the best of Ross's dispatches and explains almost everything you need to know about how Australia and the world works. And where it's going.

Most economists are obsessed with financial and economic measures, but not Ross Gittins. In The Happy Economist he mounts a provocative and persuasive case for a different approach. He argues that happiness is our most important measure of economic success. Distilling the practical wisdom from all the recent scientific study of happiness by psychologists and economists, Ross claims that happiness isn't about maintaining a forced smile or a self-centred concern to maximise pleasure and minimise pain, but about living a satisfying life of endeavour, achievement and mutually rewarding relationships. Most of us are happy most of the time, but there is more we could do to increase our satisfaction. And a different approach by governments - with less emphasis on economic growth and efficiency, and more on preserving the planet and the social fabric - could add to 'national happiness'. The Happy Economist is a bold and insightful look at an area few economists dare to tread. It may even change your life.

How Australia Compares is a handy reference that compares Australia with seventeen other developed countries across a wide range of social, economic and political dimensions. Whenever possible, it gives not only snapshot comparisons from the present, but charts trends over recent decades or even longer. Encyclopaedic in scope, it provides statistics for a huge range of human activity, from taxation to traffic accidents, homicide rates to health expenditure, interest rates to internet usage. This new edition is fully revised and updated, and features two new chapters: The Howard Impact and The Search for Scoreboards. New sections include obesity, advertising, broadband internet access, childcare and corruption. Information is highly accessible with double-page spreads for each topic. Tables and graphs are presented on one page, and clear explanation and analysis on the facing page. In each discussion the focus is to put the Australian experience into international perspective, drawing out the implications for the nation's performance, policies and prospects.

A clear, concise and entertaining introduction to the economics of today, written by Sydney Morning Herald/The Age economics guru Ross Gittins. Drawing on many of Ross's popular columns and the needs of final year high school economics students, Gittins' Guide provides bite-sized, easy-to-follow explanations of the key issues in economics and macroeconomics that shape our world. Featuring Ross's trademark intelligence, clarity and down-to-earth approach, this book is essential reading for senior students and anyone who wants a better understanding of what economics - and economic policies - are all about.