Freakonomics

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

In a world filled with authors and economists threading to be politically correct, Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner dared to take the plunge on some of the more taboo topics involving race, sex and life in general. Levitt is an economist at the University of Chicago while Dubner is a New York Times journalist.

How does a law on abortion affects crime rate 20 years down the road? Why do white people earn more that the blacks? And for that matter, why do blacks seem to be more inclined to a life of crime, violence and immorality?

Using sophisticated data presentation and several doses of sensibility, the authors present answers to the above questions in a way that you would never expect from a humdrum, politically-correct economist.

The authors have successfully combined their own research with several well-known studies such as the Colorado Adoption Project to discuss matters which are very close to out hearts. Other than that, the book also explores several other interesting issues, like the myth of raising intelligent kids and why your real estate agent is most probably a cheat – complete with economic theories.

Although most of the subject matters are heavily inundated with statistics, facts and figures, the book has remarkably presented them in a very comprehensive yet enjoyable manner.

The book has attracted much controversy. This is expected as the work does touch many a raw nerve with its frank discussions on race and its correlation with socio-economic status. Anti-abortion groups are also up in arms about the author’s explanation on why the recent drop of crime figures in the United States is attributed to a rise in abortions. That very much explains why readers of Freakonomics are eagerly awaiting its sequel. Very entertaining read indeed.