Book Description
Brenner examines whether the 21st Century will be another American century; the financial and regulatory changes required to adjust to a more mobile world; religion and nationalism; the connection between democracy and financial markets; and the links between higher education and myths societies live by. And all this is in clear, compelling writing that is devoid of jargon.
Customer Reviews:
Force of Finance worthwhile reading.......2006-11-30
"The Force of Finance: Triumph of the Capital Markets" by Reuven Brenner, Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited, Toronto, 2002 and Texere Publishing London & New York, challenges unsupported conventional thinking in many areas including economics, finance, capital markets, prosperity, freedom and democracy.
"Prosperity is the consequence of one thing and one only: matching talent with capital, and holding both sides accountable," as illustrated by the economic successes of 17th century Netherlands and the modern Asian Tigers. Brenner warns of the injury caused by public policies of confiscation and unproductive regulations, but reports, "for the moment, the U.S. alone has the fundamentals right."
Chapter 2 considers the relationship between capital markets and democracy and elaborates extensively about the 1997 observations of Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., "democracy requires capitalism, but capitalism does not require democracy." More simply stated capitalism thrives where democracy cannot. The legal recognition of private property, open capital markets and dispersion of political power augment both democracy and capitalism. More than any other single factor, "low taxes" bring "economic miracles."
Brenner calls macroeconomics the "twentieth-century pseudo-science" because it is built on the false Keynsian view that governments can or should manipulate economic outcomes.
In Chapter 4 Brenner points out that "voting rights were not much of an obstacle to governments intent on doing harm." Thus, Brenner reasons that democracy and capitalism are safer when politicians possess less, rather than more, power: "referenda significantly diminish the power of politicians and bureaucrats." Experimentation with political change and tools of citizen involvement was truncated and stalled by the Great Wars, the Depression, and the Cold War; but now the time is ripe for renewed interest in reforms, which should be cause for optimism.
Chapter 7, titled "Extracting Sunbeams out of Cucumbers," explores how "ideas that have no foundation gain scientific status." For decades economists have used the lighthouse analogy to advocate government intrusion. If government did not provide lighthouses, then there would be none. However, private-sector lighthouses existed for centuries. How could so many great minds get this fact wrong? Ronald Coarse published the historical correction in 1974, but the false analogy continues to appear in new textbooks. Students "arrive at the intended but utterly misleading conclusion. The frequently repeated idea thus passes for fact." "Students are not being taught science; instead, they are being taught obscure linguistic exercises masquerading as science." "Matching ideas to real-world events is the meaning of being scientific. It is unscientific to either ignore or reject discovered patterns." The non-science of the social sciences and humanities hide in a maze of obscure rhetoric designed to bar critical review by outsiders and to ridicule innovators as lacking understanding. "Aesop was right: Obscurity often brings safety." It is the conformist who survives. "Followers are taught to be blind." Chinese inventiveness ceased when state power increased; it always does.
That so many politicians and economist were attracted to Keynesian views is simply evidence that people respond to incentives. The opportunity for bigger and more intrusive government benefited both groups irrespective of whether the ideas had merit.
"Precedents are incorporated into behavior and institutions, and often outlive the circumstances that created them." "Prosperity requires people to abandon old industries and old ways of doing things, and bet on new ones and new ways."
"Backward-looking societies stay poor." "Stable currency does not guarantee prosperity" ... but "it is a necessary part." "Out-of-the way Iceland, Australia, and New Zealand are all prosperous and technologically up to date. They are not close to either big markets or principal sea routes. ... they have open capital markets."
"In the absence of democratized capital markets, "freedom" is an empty word." "With open markets the poor can move up." "Limiting access to capital markets is the means by which groups can stay in power." "Indeed, the democratization of financial markets and the adoption of the institutions of direct democracy are, the keys to lasting prosperity."
"The United States has its share of bad laws, outdated regulations, complex taxes, and controls inherited from the past, many of these are still unquestioned."
"... as a condition of receiving Western capital, countries should open up their financial markets." Brenner predicts, "If Putin carries out his promise to impose a 13 % flat tax ... Russia will soon prosper, attracting critical masses of talent and capital, reducing corruption, and leapfrogging over many other countries."
In short "The Force of Finance" offers a comprehensive vision for freedom not yet appreciated by many leaders. All peoples will benefit when economic and political freedoms are enlarged. The key is the opening of and access to financial markets and the dispersion of political power, which tends more to interfere with, rather than facilitate, open financial markets. The sooner people gain the courage to confront and change archaic regulatory and political institutions the sooner people will benefit from increased wealth and freedom.
"The Force of Finance" is recommended reading for those interested in deeper understanding of the interdependency of economic and democratic freedoms.
A deeply original synthesis of finance, economics and politics.......2006-07-27
Money, capital markets, brain drains, direct democracy, corruption, crime and gold are woven together with skill to produce a stunningly original picture of the world. The argument that society is shaped by the imperative of access to capital, and that when one channel is blocked another opens, is used to explain a wide variety of historical and current events. You can dam the force of finance to change the direction of the river, but sooner or later, one way or another, the water will get to the sea.
An Inside Look Into A Positive Global Economy.......2002-06-07
Reuven Brenner, an intense, dynamic, and iconoclast economist, has entered a very weighty two cents into the current thought on the world economy with this new book.
With multiple clear examples of politics and history, he shows the difference between America's open capital markets and most of the world's nations closed capital markets, and why America has been at the forefront of econonomic and capitalist development for more than 50 years.
His main argument: Citizens of any nation should have access to capital in order to embark on ventures that will produce profit. The most valuable resource any nation has are its talented citizens, by denying them access to the ability to be entrepreneurs, the nation is hurting itself and its growth. The answer: Let them access the resources they need, but hold both sides accountable. It won't keep an Enron from happening, but it will keep it from happening again, as is obvious with new accounting reforms.
Using examples from pre/post Communist Russia, Latin America, Islamic Fundamentalist states, and budding open capital markets, Brenner proves that any system that restricts access to capital is doomed to fail. Sure to open your mind and expose you to the true story of the global economy, The Force Of Finance is the penultimate book on how to turn a third world nation into a modern state that is living up to its potential.
Book Description
Newly revised, and completely updated, How to Buy a Diamond is the only book on the market to include wholesalers' secret pricing charts that you, the public, never get to see! The charts are broken down by carat, clarity and color-including the various grades of color, for the first time ever.
This valuable resource gives the information you need to get a stone that won't leave you feeling cheated.
Customer Reviews:
Detailed and Practical.......2007-09-24
Very comprehensive and detailed. The OEM price list is of great help. This book is a must for anyone who's looking at buying diamond.
How to Get What You Pay For. But the Advice Comes from a Salesman........2007-06-30
Fred Cuellar -jeweler, prolific diamond advisor, and creator of novelty gem pieces for pro sports teams and corporations- brings his enthusiasm for diamonds to "How to Buy a Diamond", his popular guide to getting your money's worth in carbon, now in its 5th edition. "How to Buy a Diamond" discusses buying diamond engagement rings, but since it assumes you will be shopping for a loose stone, the information is equally applicable to any diamond: rings, earrings, pendants, stones for investment, etc. This book places more emphasis on the process of purchasing the diamond than most diamond guides. Only the first 2 chapters are concerned with the stones themselves.
Chapter 1 addresses the obligatory "4 Cs": carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. In addition to basic information, Cuellar explains the expanded color typing produced by a Colorimeter, shows how color and clarity grades should correspond unless you want an oddball stone with poor resale value, and he comments on GIA's new, looser cut grading system. Chapter 2 is dedicated to "Cost", including price lists for 1/3 -5 carat diamonds, price lists for "buying shy" or buying just under the desired carat weight, and charts for calculating prices of 6-10 carat stones. Cuellar explains why it is difficult to determine what a diamond of a certain color, clarity, and carat should cost without a lot of other information.
There are questionnaires to aid in finding a qualified jeweler and picking a suitable stone. The author highly recommends "bonded" diamonds, warns against the limitations of lab grading reports and buying on the internet, describes enhancement treatments to look out for, and introduces us to synthetic diamonds. Chapter 5, "Tricks of the Trade", details some common ploys that jewelers use to deceive customers as well as some that customers use to scam jewelers or unjustly accuse them of theft. Presenting the dangers of the diamond business from the jeweler's point of view provides interesting insight.
A "Will You Marry Me?" chapter gives trepidatious men advice on how to pop the question -and when not to. This seemed to me like a lot of self-righteous advice on finding Miss or Mr. Right. Fred Cuellar is unquestionably a romantic and a talented salesman. He likes the idea of "true love" and the idea of a diamond as an expression of such. The book has 11 chapters. Those that I did not mention are shorter and perhaps less essential: ring settings, common myths about diamonds, tips on cleaning, advice on trade-ins and selling your diamond. Carat size charts, a glossary, Q&A, and more are found in the Appendixes.
"How to Buy a Diamond" offers some helpful advice that I have not seen in other consumer diamond guides. On the other hand, no retailer will ace the jeweler questionnaire, no one recognizes color typing, and you will not find diamonds with the kind of "bonded" warranty that the book describes. Fred Cuellar is not a disinterested party. He sells (bonded) diamonds, and he hopes you will buy from him. I found "How to Buy a Diamond" a mixed bag: useful insight, strong opinion, and thinly veiled sales pitch. I liked enough to recommend the book, but sometimes it must be taken with a grain of salt. "How to Buy a Diamond" does not have photos, but its companion web site does. If you would like more detail about diamond cuts, enhancements, and how to detect a fake, including how to examine a diamond though a loupe, "Diamonds: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide" is more hands-on and impartial.
Great Book - Well written.......2007-02-06
If you don't know the 4 C's about diamonds, certification, etc. you will be "totally" unprepared to deal with jewlery stores and wind up paying way, way...... too much money for a diamond.
This is a great book. Get a fair deal for your loved one. Get this book!!!
Read THIS Book Before You Buy a Diamond.......2006-12-20
I ordered this book before a major diamond purchase. I was able to read it quickly and easily. I was impressed by how well organized and effective it was. I believe that this book prepared me well.
The author provides plenty of support for his clear recommendations. I was suprized at how well he used just enough detail without bogging down. He even has included an extensive diamond price list.
I can't emphasize enough how much the organization of the book made it easier to pick up the necessary information.
Highest recommendation
Be The Hero!!!!.......2006-08-07
Thanks Fred!!! It is about time that someone spoke up and told the world the truth about diamonds even if does mean you give a black eye to an industry you obviously love. I was sick of reading the same old paint by the numbers diamond books that just keep repeating DeBeers tired old tag line. Baking,Color Typing,Bonding, The GIA Bribery Scandle are just some of the sections that I didn't think anybody would have the guts to talk about to anyone outside the diamond trade.I understand now why you are the diamond advisor to Money magazine and the Wall Street Journal.With your Jeweler Questionaire anyone will be able to distinguish the good guys from the bad.Because at the end of the day all that should matter to anyone is they get their dream diamond for the love of their life!!!
Book Description
Since the first edition of Modern Constitutional Law was published nearly 20 years ago, it has continued to be one of the best sellers in a very competitive market. Professor Thomas E. Baker, who holds the prestigious James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law at Drake University, stated that he has "been so loyal to the Rotunda brand name over the years," because the book is compact without being superficial. It "remarkabl[y]" manages "to include all the important cases yet preserves a fuller set of opinions to guarantee 'thoughtful classroom discussion.'"
Book Description
Updates Rotunda's Modern Constitutional Law, 6th, and is current through June 2001. Like the book, the supplement focuses on modern constitutional law, the law that will be litigated today and tomorrow. Assists students with forming a good understanding of the basic principles of the law, what the law is, and where it is going.
Book Description
This supplement to Modern Constitutional Law includes only the more significant United States Supreme Court cases issued from October 1996 - the cutoff date for the main volume - through June 27, 1997, the end of the latest Supreme Court term.
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Irrigation in the Countries of the Former Soviet Union in Figures (Water Report)
Food and Agriculture Org.
Manufacturer: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 9251040710 |
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Coastal and Estuarine Environments: Sedimentology, Geomorphology and Geoarchaeology (Geological Society Special Publication, Number 175)
Manufacturer: Geological Society of London
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ASIN: 1862390703 |
Book Description
In a world of increasingly rapid technological and economic development, sea-level rise, and possible global climate change, central tasks facing the coastal and estuarine manager are to predict and manage change, undertaken against a background of constantly moving goalposts. There is an urgent need for a much better framework of background environmental data and more effective and reliable management tools, founded on sound scientific understanding, which can provide necessary guidance and the basis for policy formulation. Although these needs have been recognized, and some progress has been made in the past few years, of which this volume is an example, an adequate suite of such tools and frameworks for environmental monitoring is still some way off. The broad selection of papers included in this volume reflects the wide range of research currently being undertaken in coastal and estuarine environments, but underlines the fact that there are still significant gaps in understanding and major needs for further research which crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries. This volume brings together the results of recent research of sedimentologists, geomorphologists, archaeologists, engineers and others, expounding their methods and concerns, and identifying further areas where future joint work might be fruitful.
Readership Sedimentologists, Geomorphologists, Archaeologists, Engineering Geologists, Researchers and academics with an interest in coastal and estuarine environments and climate change.
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Plasma Physics: Basic Theory with Fusion Applications (Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics)
K. Nishikawa , and
M. Wakatani
Manufacturer: Springer
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ASIN: 354065285X |
Book Description
Plasma Physics - Basic Theory with Fusion Applications presents a thorough treatment of plasma physics, beginning at an introductory level and including an extensive discussion of applications in thermonuclear fusion research. The physics of fusion plasmas is explained in relation to recent progress in tokamak research and other plasma confinement schemes, such as stellarators and intertial confinement. The unique and systematic presentation and numerous problems will help readers to understand the overall structure of plasma theory and will facilitate access to more advanced literature on specialized topics. This new edition has been updated with more recent-results.
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Three Times a Woman: A novel
Bronwyn Burton-Mahdi
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
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ASIN: 0595343295 |
Book Description
Gina Johnson-Logan is a 30 something year old country bumkin reflecting on her teen years. Having been a teenage mother, Gina transforms from a promiscuous teen to a woman putting God first in her life. As Gina humorously tells the story of her family members, her blessings and her success, there are valuable lesson she's trying to convey. As Gina goes through her three stages of womanhood, she finds herself blaming her mother for her promiscuity and the way her life plays out. Now looking back, Gina chuckles at how fast she was, and how she was trying to be a woman too soon. Gina eventually finds love, success and the need to come to the rescue of teenage girls traveling down the same road she traveled. While she tells her story with a lot of humor, Gina does have some drama going on as well.
Download Description
Gina Johnson-Logan is a 30 something year old country bumkin reflecting on her teen years. Having been a teenage mother, Gina transforms from a promiscuous teen to a woman putting God first in her life. As Gina humorously tells the story of her family members, her blessings and her success, there are valuable lesson she
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