First Sentence

"This book is the result of two convictions held by the editors: first, that economics in its mainstream neoclassical form is failing to provide an intellectually coherent explanation of economic reality, especially with regard to such issues as the nature of markets, environmental degradation, persistent poverty and household production, and is therefore responsible for much flawed policy advice; and second , that the many constructive, potentially complementary, alternative proposals on these and other issues, some originating in the economics discipline, others from outside it, are too often left standing in isolation from each other, so that the larger framework within which they could be accommodated, and which could help win them acceptance, is left unarticulated."