Professor Scitovsky's attempt to make economic theory more realistic and thereby more useful is the subject of the first part of the volume which includes his work on the necessity of asymmetric markets, some market power and righteous behaviour as conditions of a progressive and properly functioning market economy. The second major theme is the shortcomings of the real-world economy and, in particular, its failure to maintain macroequilibrium, price stability and full employment. This part includes examinations of inflexible wages and prices, excessive claims, positional goods, and the impact of second-hand markets on the macroeconomy.

Economic Theory and Reality improves access to Professor Scitovsky's most important recent work, much of which was originally published either in foreign languages or outside the mainstream literature. As well as improving our understanding of his approach to economics and the contributions which he has made to scholarship, this book addresses key questions about the relevance of economic theory and its future direction.