Economics for Social Workers or The Brazilian Economy

Economics for Social Workers: The Application of Economic Theory to Social Policy and the Human Services

Author: Michael Lewis

This primer for social work students introduces the general definitions and concepts of economics and uses case studies in social work to develop applied knowledge. The case studies include stories of job training, substance abuse centers, counseling, therapy, child protectiveservices, and services for the poor. The concluding chapters are devoted to topics directly related to social work: economics of poverty, health economics, household economics, the economics of labor, and government failure.

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Lewis and Widerquist note that, while students of social work in the United States are required to take a course in social policy to understand how such policies affect their clients, they have no course requirement to ensure a basic understanding of economics, and its influence on social policies. To enhance the ability of social workers to advocate for sound social policies, Lewis and Widerquist have prepared this text focusing on the mainstream methodology of neoclassical economics. Coverage includes marginal analysis, perfect competition and the supply-and-demand model, imperfect competition, market failure and government intervention, cost-benefit and cost- effectiveness analysis, government failure, the labor markets, theories behind poverty policy, the economics of health care, and economic demography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

	Acknowledgments
Ch. 1	The Economic Perspective	1
Ch. 2	Marginal Analysis	15
Ch. 3	Perfect Competition and the Supply-and-Demand Model	25
Ch. 4	Imperfect Competition	49
Ch. 5	Market Failure and Government Intervention	65
Ch. 6	Cost-Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis	75
Ch. 7	Government Failure	89
Ch. 8	The Economics of Labor	99
Ch. 9	The Economics of Poverty	121
Ch. 10	The Economics of Health Care	143
Ch. 11	Economic Demography	157
	Glossary	167
	Notes	173
	Index	183

See also: Narrative of Sojourner Truth or Assata

The Brazilian Economy: Growth and Development 5th Edition

Author: Werner Baer

Bringing the analysis of Brazil's economic performance up to date, Baer's classic text remains the only book in English to provide a thorough historical, statistical, and institutional description of the Brazilian economy. After touching on such issues as Brazil's early exporting economy and the historical struggle to bring inflation under control, the book turns to contemporary issues-the changing nature of Brazil's international trading and investment links, the process of privatization, environmental issues, and the economics of the health delivery system. Scholars, students, international institutions dealing with development, and corporate officers dealing with Latin America will welcome this up-to-date, definitive book on one of the world's largest economies.

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Examines the historical evolution of the Brazilian economy, focusing on the process of its industrialization in the 20th century, the methods used to achieve it, its impact on the socioeconomic environment, and adjustments that socioeconomic institutions have had to make in response to structural changes in the economy. Looks at the mixture of private and state capitalism that has emerged in the country, emphasizing its difference from mixed economies of Western Europe, and investigates economic policies that contribute to underdevelopment in the midst of economic growth. This third edition contains three new chapters on the economy up to the year 2000, the restructuring and privatization of Brazil's banking system, and issues related to health and the economy. Baer teaches economics at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)