Increasing Returns

"This book is based on the author's recent EMBA course at Peking University's National School of Development. The author argues that understanding Chinese phenomena requires placing them within a framework of triple transition. Conventional economic assumptions like marginal analysis need re-examination, especially the applicability of marginal pricing principles in China. Drawing from years of research on increasing returns economics, the author develops unique ""economic principles"" presented in four lectures: 1) phenomena of increasing returns, 2) necessary conditions for increasing returns, 3) individual/group choices and emergent social structures, and 4) economic principles during China's transition. To explain China's economic ""miracle,"" one must first understand increasing returns economics. Addressing modern challenges like digital economy, climate change, aging populations, and inequality requires embracing the author's advocated ""generalized economics"" approach emphasizing cooperation and innovation.

本书内容出自作者近年为北京大学国家发展研究院开设的EMBA课程。作者认为，要理解任何中国现象，首先要将中国现象置于三重转型期的理解框架之内，基于转型期社会的常识，当下经济学流行的"边际分析"的基本假设值得反思，边际定价原则在中国的适用性值得警觉。作者多年关注收益递增经济学，在持续的研究和思考的过程中形成了本书论述的一些"经济学原理"。本书共分四讲，先后探讨了收益递增现象、收益递增的必要条件，个体选择、群体选择、涌现秩序与社会结构，以及转型期中国社会的经济学原理。要解释中国的经济"奇迹"，首先要理解收益递增经济学；面对互联网和知识社会等经济现象，以合作和创新的智慧应对气候问题、老龄化尤其是不平等这人类社会的三大经济挑战，更需要关注作者多年来始终提倡的"广义的经济学"。