The Economics of Integrity

From Dairy Farmers to Toyota, How Wealth Is Built on Trust and What That Means for Our Future

By: Anna Bernasek

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eBook | 23 February 2010

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208 Pages

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"Anyone interested in understanding what makes our economy work must have this on their bookshelf." —Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody's

In The Economics of Integrity, acclaimed financial journalist Anna Bernasek presents a deceptively straightforward argument: that the attributes of trust and integrity, beyond being simply virtuous ideals, are actually the bedrocks of a successful economy and culture. Bernasek has written a big-idea book with the readability of Predictably Irrational, and presents a compelling hypothesis that most of the things we take for granted in our lives depend on integrity. In the words of Dan Gross (Senior Editor, Newsweek, and author of Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation), "in an era of structured finance, nano-technology, and complex business models, Anna Bernasek's timely, valuable, and highly readable book reminds us that the economy runs on something much more simple: trust."

Through surprising case studies and a clear-eyed look at financial history, this book reveals the hidden engine of prosperity:

Business Case Studies: Discover why Toyota's focus on quality, L.L. Bean's unconditional guarantee, and the dairy farmer's daily routine are all powerful investments in integrity.
Wealth Creation: Learn how cooperative relationships—not just individual ambition—are the most valuable and overlooked source for building sustainable wealth for companies and nations.
The 2008 Financial Crisis: Unpack the 2008 financial meltdown as a crisis of integrity and understand the practical lessons for rebuilding a stronger, more resilient economy.
A New Economic Framework: Move beyond the stale debate of free markets versus regulation with a fundamental approach that shows how investing in trust makes the economic pie bigger for everyone.

Industry Reviews

"Bernasek's advocacy of a smart, positive spirit is a worthwhile reminder of the perils of a self-defeating negativism in an era of multiple national crises. In crisp, lucid language she lays out her positive approach."