Economy of Words

By Douglas R. Holmes,

Book cover of Economy of Words: Communicative Imperatives in Central Banks

Book description

Markets are artifacts of language - so Douglas R. Holmes argues in this deeply researched look at central banks and the people who run them. Working at the intersection of anthropology, linguistics, and economics, he shows how central bankers have been engaging in communicative experiments that predate the financial crisis…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Economy of Words as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Most of us think of economics and economic policy making the same way that we do about other scientific fields, such as physics or engineering. Like those sciences, economics uses numerical models and mathematical analysis to explain how the world works.

In contrast, this book reveals how economics is a very different kind of science from physics or engineering. Holmes shows how economists and economic policy-makers rely on language as much as, or even more than, numbers to achieve their desired policy goals. 

If you love Economy of Words...

Ad

Book cover of The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

The Coaching Habit By Michael Bungay Stanier,

The coaching book that's for all of us, not just coaches.

It's the best-selling book on coaching this century, with 15k+ online reviews. Brené Brown calls it "a classic". Dan Pink said it was "essential".

It is practical, funny, and short, and "unweirds" coaching. Whether you're a parent, a teacher,…

Want books like Economy of Words?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Economy of Words.

Browse books like Economy of Words

Book cover of Flexible Citizenship: The Cultural Logics of Transnationality
Book cover of Money: The Unauthorized Biography
Book cover of Give a Man a Fish: Reflections on the New Politics of Distribution

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,592

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in monetary policy, anthropology, and money?

Monetary Policy 10 books
Anthropology 104 books
Money 84 books