Garlic : in which the stinky bulb establishes Korea, frightens the Brits and tells you why you will want to read this book. Overcoming prejudices: Acorn : in which the acorn-eating pigs of southern Spain and acorn-loving Koreans tell you how culture is not as important as you think in determining economic outcomes Okra : in which the 'lady finger' reveals how blinkered and misleading the language of free-market economics is Coconut : in which the brown fruit reveals why it is wrong to believe that various 'brown' people are poor because they don't work hard. Becoming more productive: Anchovy : in which the small fish, which used to give countries not just rich flavours but fabulous riches, turns out to be an ambassador for industrialization Prawn... or shrimp? : in which the crustacean is shown to be an insect in disguise that tells us why developing countries need to use protectionism against superior foreign competition Noodle : in which the intertwined story of two noodle-obsessed nations makes us re-examine the way we think about entrepreneurship and corporate success Carrot : in which the once-outrageous idea that a carrot can be orange helps us see why and how we need to fix the patent system. Doing better globally: Beef : in which the most controversial meat reveals how free trade doesn't mean freedom for all Banana : in which the most productive fruit tells us how global corporations can be positive forces for developing countries but only if they are used in the right way Coco-Cola : in which a drink that resembles an ageing rock band tells us why so many developing countries are unhappy with the prevailing economic ideology. Living together: Rye : in which this quintessential Northern European grain clears up a few misunderstandings about the welfare state Chicken : in which the bird that everyone loves to eat but no one takes seriously teaches us the true meaning of economic equality and fairness Chilli : in which the trickster berry helps us see how care work is neglected and undervalued, despite being at the foundation of our economy and society. Thinking about the future: Lime : in which the British navy and the Brazilian national drink come together to help us think about the challenges of climate change Spices : in which we learn how black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove gave birth to the modern corporation, which has made capitalism a great success but is now slowly strangling it Strawberry : in which the berry that is not a berry helps us think about the rise of the robots and the future of work Chocolate : in which the milk chocolate bar reveals the secret of Swiss economic prosperity, which has little to do with secretive banking or upmarket tourism. How to eat (economics) better |