{"product_id":"the-power-of-a-single-number-a-political-history-of-gdp","title":"The Power of a Single Number: A Political History of GDP","description":"\u003cp\u003eWidely used since the mid-twentieth century  GDP (gross domestic product) has become the worlds most powerful statistical indicator of national development and progress. Practically all governments adhere to the idea that GDP growth is a primary economic target  and while criticism of this measure has grown  neither its champions nor its detractors deny its central importance in our political culture.  In The Power of a Single Number  Philipp Lepenies recounts the lively history of GDPs political acceptanceand eventual dominance. Locating the origins of GDP measurements in Renaissance England  Lepenies explores the social and political factors that originally hindered its use. It was not until the early 1900s that an ingenuous lone-wolf economist revived and honed GDPs statistical approach. These ideas were then extended by John Maynard Keynes  and a more focused study of national income was born. American economists furthered this work by emphasizing GDPs ties to social well-being  setting the stage for its ascent. GDP finally achieved its singular status during World War II  assuming the importance it retains today. Lepeniess absorbing account helps us understand the personalities and popular events that propelled GDP to supremacy and clarifies current debates over the wisdom of the numbers rule.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44955097792565,"sku":"ByrdShop_0231175108","price":118.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780231175104.jpg?v=1770298090","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-power-of-a-single-number-a-political-history-of-gdp","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}