📖 Overview
Angus Deaton is a British-American economist who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2015 for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. His research has focused on understanding household consumption patterns and measuring living standards and poverty, particularly in developing countries.
Throughout his career at Princeton University and the University of Bristol, Deaton has made significant contributions to microeconomics and development economics. His work on demand analysis and consumer behavior led to improvements in how economists and policymakers measure and understand household welfare and poverty levels.
Deaton's book "The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality" (2013) examines how human society has achieved unprecedented levels of prosperity and health, while also highlighting persistent global inequalities. His later work with Anne Case, including "Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism" (2020), investigates rising mortality rates among middle-aged white Americans without college degrees.
His methodological contributions include the Almost Ideal Demand System and the Deaton Method for analyzing household surveys, which have become standard tools in empirical economics and policy analysis. Deaton currently serves as a Senior Scholar and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Deaton's ability to explain complex economic concepts in accessible language. The Great Escape received high marks for its clear presentation of data on global health and wealth improvements. Multiple reviewers noted his balanced approach to discussing both progress and persistent inequalities.
Deaths of Despair garnered attention for its detailed examination of American mortality trends. Readers highlighted the thorough research and compelling data presentation. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "The statistics and historical context make a powerful case."
Common criticisms include:
- Dense academic writing in some sections
- Limited proposed solutions for the problems identified
- Some readers found the technical details overwhelming
Ratings across platforms:
The Great Escape:
- Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ reviews)
Deaths of Despair:
- Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.6/5 (500+ reviews)
📚 Books by Angus Deaton
The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality (2013)
Analysis of how health and prosperity improvements since the Industrial Revolution have led to vast inequalities between nations and peoples.
Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism (2020) Examination of rising mortality among white working-class Americans due to suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related diseases.
Understanding Consumption (1992) Technical exploration of consumer behavior, savings patterns, and household economic decision-making.
Economics and Consumer Behavior (1980) Textbook covering microeconomic theory of consumer choice and demand, co-authored with John Muellbauer.
Analysis of Household Surveys: A Microeconometric Approach to Development Policy (1997) Methodological guide for analyzing household survey data to inform economic policy in developing countries.
Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism (2020) Examination of rising mortality among white working-class Americans due to suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related diseases.
Understanding Consumption (1992) Technical exploration of consumer behavior, savings patterns, and household economic decision-making.
Economics and Consumer Behavior (1980) Textbook covering microeconomic theory of consumer choice and demand, co-authored with John Muellbauer.
Analysis of Household Surveys: A Microeconometric Approach to Development Policy (1997) Methodological guide for analyzing household survey data to inform economic policy in developing countries.
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