The real economy: May 2003
The last fifteen years has been one of the most remarkable periods in economic history. But the American model on which most economic thinking and policy making has been based is not only unattractive, it is inaccurate - both about human motivation and how socially embedded markets actually operate
Previous convictions: April 2003
I used to share the physics envy of many economists. The responses to Bjorn Llomborg's book have helped change my mind.
Desperate dons must take risks for bigger rewards
Tony Blair has shown decisive leadership qualities in putting forward necessary but unpopular proposals to restore universities' freedom to set fees. It needs to be matched by similar qualities of leadership in the universities themselves.
Merger lectures are best ignored
The biggest universities in the world are clearly not the best. So why do some British universities think that mergers will make them world class?
Business can be a Nobel pursuit
The gap between American universities and the rest of the world is widening. The week in which the Nobel Prizes are awarded is an opportune time to ask why.
Beware authority without legitimacy
Institutions have no power without legitimacy, English exam boards are learning this lesson the hard way
Anti-capitalism books: May 2002
John surveys the latest wave of books attacking capitalism.
Oxford Experiences
John Kay became a Fellow of St John’s College, Oxford in 1970 and taught in the university for ten years. After periods as Director o...
On John Kay’s Bookshelf – Archive page
Books that John has reviewed in the past...