Building a Science of Economics for the Real World

Examines "the promise and limits of modern macroeconomic theory in light of the current economic crisis ... Economic analysis is used to inform virtually every aspect of domestic policy. If the generally accepted economic models inclined the Nation's policy makers to dismiss the notion that a crisis was possible, and then led them toward measures that may have been less than optimal in addressing it, it seems appropriate to ask why the economics profession cannot provide better policy guidance. Further, in an effort to improve the quality of economic science, should the Federal Government consider supporting new avenues of research through the NSF?"--P. 3.