Freakonomics

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how originally Levitt and Dubner wrote a newspaper column and due to its successes wrote a book on an economist's analysis of issues of social and biological concern and controversy. It explores a few anecdotes from the text. The author expands on the writing style and offers a personal opinion on the book.

From the Paper:

"Levitt and Dubner look at the world in a way that is both surprising, occasionally funny, and always enlightening, by drawing unexpected theoretical connections between the different but complementary theoretical rubrics of sociology and economics. In answer to the question about the drug dealers, for example, the authors contend that drug dealer's lackeys, rather than being wealthy as is commonly imagined, actually accept an initial salary pittance in exchange for community and social status (hence the fact that most still live at home). This is very much like the reason most interns and individuals taking low-paying entry-level publishing jobs for little money. Their jobs allow these aspiring young people to 'see and be seen' in a world they would not otherwise have access to, such as the White House or a elite firm. Individuals with youth and energy do so with the hope of a much bigger payoff of status and money later on. "

More papers on Freakonomics:

• Analytical Essay # 136172 : "Chapter 3 of "Freakonomics"
• Book Review # 97222 : "Freakonomics"--A Review"
• Book Review # 103875 : "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner"
• Book Review # 92799 : "Economics in "Freakonomics"

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