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In The Social Economy David Reisman argues for a social economics that centres on the role of human choice and behaviour. Rejecting the reduction of the economy to the efficient allocation of scarce goods and services, he proposes that it be examined as the meaningful interaction of real-world people engaged in production, consumption, distribution and exchange.

Arguing that the economy is the whole as well as the part, the book advocates a broader understanding of economics. From the sovereign individual to the social organism, Reisman demonstrates that economic activities are governed by norms, values, rights and duties, as well as being dependent on habits, heuristics and bounded rationality. He emphasises that without our memories and ideologies there would be no economic processes to meet our needs and wants. He supports his contention with reference to areas such as work and creativity, shared institutions, social capital and the economics of envy.

Interdisciplinary in scope, The Social Economy is an essential resource for scholars and students of economic theory, economic sociology, institutional economics and the history of economic thought. Practitioners and social policymakers will also find value in its comprehensive coverage of current debates.