Zed Books Ltd Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing

Unlike neoclassical economists' rubbishy accounts, this book is a clear, concise exposition of how economies really work. It displays an understanding of the illness privatised 'economic rent' has inflicted upon world economies to deliver us to this private debt watershed from which we have to extract ourselves.As Michael Kumhof, senior research advisor at the Bank of England, says "This excellent book .... will quickly become an important reference for the general public and for economists, and hopefully also for policymakers."

No le pongo las 5 estrellas porque podria existir un capitulo donde se adentrase en terminos mas tecnicos, formulas, graficas para proveer de erramientas para usar. Hubiera sido util para mi trabajo. Pero en cualquier caso, bastante instructivo. A lo mejor otra pega seria un poco sesgado. PEro hace falta tendiendo en cuenta toda la literatura abrumadora que existe en la otra posicion.

This is an excellent book and there is no point in me repeating the summaries of previous reviewers, but there is one grave omission. There is no reference to the demand side of housing provision, as primarily evidenced by the rise in population in London (just under 0.5 million in 5 years (ONS) quoted in the Guardian) and the increases in house prices and rents, the latter being a driver of the former through the buy to let market. Housing provision for a constantly growing population is a moving target and the UK is currently locked into GDP growth by population increase with stagnant productivity. I understand that the subject of population movement touches a lot of raw nerves politically, especially on the left, but I think that a complete omission of the issue in the book is wrong.

Clear & balanced survey of this crucial topic. Early chapters suited to general readers. Middle chapters richly detailed for more economically literate. Full of information and critiques welcome to this reader with an M.A. in political economy.

Be prepared for some fairly serious economic theory - particularly towards the end of the book. But this is essential reading for anyone interested in how we got to our current 'broken' housing market.