Economics in practice : six lectures on current issues

A few months ago the University of London invited me to give a course of four lectures at the London School of Economics. They were so good as to acquiesce in my stipulation that the lectures should not be of an abstruse char acter, but on matters of general interest and more or less popular in tone. They further ex pressed a desire, though they did not put it in bond, that the lectures after delivery should be published. About that I have felt considerable hesitation. The spoken word, even the word that is written to be read aloud, may well be too frail to face the austerities of print. However, rightly or wrongly, I have in the end decided on publication; and I have included along with the four London lectures-themselves given, for a first time of asking, to a similar audience in Cambridge-two others, numbered III and V, which accompanied them here but did not visit London. The lectures are printed substantially as they were delivered. I have even left intact, not without qualms, a number of ribald remarks about politicians. I trust that these will be ac cepted in good part. Should any of the great and wise, whose names are taken in vain, feel themselves offended, I hereby crave their pardon. The pen is dignified and discreet, but the tongue is an unruly member.