Economics Of The Black Market

In this first serious study of the economics of the black market, S. K. Ray looks in-depth at profiteering, black money, fraud, smuggling, government corruption, and the overall structure of the black market.

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In this extraordinary new book, Andrew Konove traces the history of illicit commerce in Mexico City from the seventeenth century to the twentieth, showing how it became central to the economic and political life of the city. The story centers on the untold history of the Baratillo, the city’s infamous thieves’ market. Originating in the colonial-era Plaza Mayor, the Baratillo moved to the neighborhood of Tepito in the early twentieth century, where it grew into one of the world’s largest emporiums for black-market goods. Konove uncovers the far-reaching ties between vendors in the Baratillo and political and mercantile elites in Mexico City, revealing the surprising clout of vendors who trafficked in the shadow economy and the diverse individuals who benefited from their trade.

The first study of the underground economy in austerity Britain. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including recently declassified material, it reveals the nature and extent of black marketeering in rationed and price controlled goods during the 1940s and early 1950s.

This book showcases recent advances in the theoretical and empirical understanding of the economic aspects of organised crime and illegal markets. It provides new insights into defining and quantifying the influence of organised crime by drawing on innovative approaches to studying criminal networks and organisations such as the Hells Angels. The book includes analysis of the structure of illegal drug markets from international leaders in the field. Finally the text includes empirical case studies of the diverse markets where organised crime is currently active including the illegal market for crystal methamphetamine in Australia, tiger products in China and the falcon and fur trades in Russia. This book was based on a special issue of Global Crime.

An eye-opening account of the informal economy around the globe, Stealth of Nations traces the history and reach of unregulated markets, and explains the unwritten rules that govern them. Journalist Robert Neuwirth joins globe-trotting Nigerians who sell Chinese cell phones and laid-off San Franciscans who use Twitter to market street food and learns that the people who work in informal economies are entrepreneurs who provide essential services and crucial employment. Dubbing this little-recognized business arena with a new name—”System D”—Neuwirth points out that it accounts for a growing amount of trade, and that, united in a single nation, it would be the world’s second-largest economy, trailing only the United States in financial might. Stealth of Nations offers an inside look at the thriving world of unfettered trade and finds far more than a chaotic emporium of dubious pirated goods.

In this lively, opinionated, and informative piece of writing, Dr. S.K. Ray applies his characteristic and accessible style to all vital sectors of the Indian economy to present a compact, well-researched, comprehensive, and up-to-date treatise on the subject. He has consistently marshalled facts and figures and brought them to bear on today’s problems of economic developments and their management. The book covers an extensive portfolio of absorbing topics, all in their varied aspects and manifestations. Written with clarity, this book is a unique attempt to analyze, in considerable depth, various facets of socioeconomic growth such as natural resources, population, agriculture, industry, transport and energy. Besides, the issues like economic planning, land and tenancy reforms, economic reforms, inflation, banking structure, international trade and finance, labour policy, industrial monetary system, science and technology, and the atrophies ailing the economy have also been probed. In a nutshell the book skilfully interprets the economy of today’s India to identify her role not only in the development of its own economy but also in relation to the rest of the world. It also identifies the issues, problems and programmes required for the formulation of a strategy for economic growth. The book, a refreshing and significant contribution to Indian economic thinking, will also serve as a valuable textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Commerce and Economics. In addition, it can be of immense help to students appearing in civil services and allied examinations. This brilliant exposition of the Indian economy will also be useful as an important source of reference for scholars, faculty members, administrators, and policymakers.

This book presents new data to give an overview of shadow economies from OECD countries and propose solutions to prevent illicit work.