Global Crises, Global Solutions: Costs and Benefits (2nd Edition)

The first edition of Global Crises, Global Solutions nominated as one of the books of the year by The Economist in 2004. If we had more money to spend to help the world's poorest people, where could we spend it most effectively? Using a common framework of cost-benefit analysis a team of leading economists, including five Nobel prize winners, assess the attractiveness of a wide range of policy options for combating ten of the world's biggest problems: Air pollution, Conflicts, Diseases, Education, Global Warming, Malnutrition and Hunger, Sanitation and Clean Water, Subsidies and Trade Barriers, Terrorism, Women and Development. The arguments are clearly presented and fully referenced so that readers are encouraged to make their own evaluation of the menu of policy options on offer. 

Testimonials

A hugely sensible book about global health and environmental problems, based on the “Copenhagen Consensus” project documented in The Economist. Its authors, eminent economists, recognise that the resources to tackle such problems are finite and need to be applied where they are most likely to be effective. Better, for instance, to spend resources on the immediate problem of AIDS in Africa than the more distant one of global warming. This book is a healthy antidote to the narrow views of single-issue pressure groups."

– The Economist, Books of the Year 2003

... an instructive guide ... a remarkable book which provides essential data for any informed discussion of vital world problems ... so often dominated by ill-informed debate. This book should prove necessary reading for all policy makers and philanthropists concerned with seriously tackling the world's challenges."

- Nicholas Newman, www.oxfordprospect.co.uk

Global Crises, Global Solutions is, therefore, worthwhile in that it offers an economic perspective on important problems in global policy."

- Lancet

...contains some of the best and most relevant policy research that social scientists have produced during the past few years."

- Journal of Peace Research

In the end, Global Crises, Global Solutions reports a brave and well-organised venture aimed at challenging our thinking about what matters most in the world."

- Times Higher Education Supplement