In a short, information-rich book, Baker puts the assumptions of modern economies under the magnifying glass and shows that many things considered fundamental are just choices— which have costs that we should consider when making policy. He offers a wealth of evidence that conservatives are just as happy to engage in distortions of the free market as liberals, but toward different ends: redistributing wealth upward instead of downward. Baker provides a number of ideas for alternative ways to reformulate our policy toward different ends, but this is a book for starting debates, not finishing them. Even if you disagree with him, this is an excellent chance to rethink the fundamentals of economics.

The book is published under a Creative Commons license and can be read online. ( )

Excellent, particularly on barriers to free trade in high income professional services and patents. I liked the fresh way he framed his discussion of corporate income taxes, but I don't think he really addressed the substance of whether it should be raised, lowered, or left alone. I'd describe Baker as a left libertarian, maybe. I enjoy it.

Baker’s argument is that the conservative vision depends as much or more on government intervention in the market than the liberal vision does. The book is pretty convincing in making that argument. Examples include deliberate trade policy geared toward the wealthy, "small business" incentives, and intellectual property laws that create property rights out of thin air. Baker does a bang-up job poking holes in the conservative myths as well as pointing out many of the problems with our governments economic policies.

(Full review at my blog) ( )