Notice bibliographique
- Notice
Type(s) de contenu et mode(s) de consultation : Texte noté : électronique
Auteur(s) : Lepenies, Philipp (1971-)
Titre(s) : The power of a single number [Texte électronique] : a political history of GDP / Philipp Lepenies ; translated by Jeremy Gaines
Publication : New York : Columbia University Press, 2016
Description matérielle : 1 ressource dématérialisée
Note(s) : Translated from the German.
Widely used since the mid-twentieth century, GDP (gross domestic product) has become
the world's most powerful statistical indicator of national development and progress.
Practically all governments adhere to the idea that GDP growth is a primary economic
target, and while criticism of this measure has grown, neither its champions nor its
detractors deny its central importance in our political culture. Here, social scientist
Philipp Lepenies recounts the lively history of GDP's political acceptance--and eventual
dominance. Locating the origins of GDP measurement in Renaissance England, Lepenies
explores the social and political factors that originally hindered its use. It was
not until the early 1900s that an ingenious lone-wolf economist revived and honed
GDP's statistical approach. These ideas were then extended by John Maynard Keynes,
and a more focused study of national income was born. American economists furthered
this work by emphasizing GDP's ties to social well-being, setting the stage for its
ascent. GDP finally achieved its singular status during World War II, assuming the
importance it retains today. Lepenies's absorbing account helps us understand the
personalities and popular events that propelled GDP to supremacy, and clarifies current
debates over the wisdom of the number's rule.--Adapted from dust jacket.
Sujet(s) : Produit intérieur brut -- Aspect politique -- Histoire
Identifiants, prix et caractéristiques : ISBN 9780231541435
Identifiant de la notice : ark:/12148/cb45102865m
Notice n° :
FRBNF45102865
(notice reprise d'un réservoir extérieur)
Table des matières : Introduction -- What it's all about : a short primer on GDP -- William petty and political
arithmetic : the origins of GDP -- The frustrations of Colin Clark : England -- Simon
Kuznets and the politics of gross national product : the United States -- War, kidnapping,
and data theft : Germany -- The ultimate triumph of gross national product -- Conclusion
-- Notes -- Index.