{"product_id":"markets-and-mortality-economics-dangerous-work-and-the-value","title":"Markets and Mortality: Economics, Dangerous Work, and the Value","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Markets and Mortality the reviewer finds a rigorous, argument-driven book aimed at readers who want to question standard economic treatments of risk. Peter Dorman offers a sustained critique of how economics values life and safety, concluding that conventional models fail to reflect real workplace dynamics. The single biggest reason to read it is its clear demonstration that unsafe work is often not voluntary and cannot be resolved by simple market compensation, which reframes debates about regulation and public policy for labor and environmental risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical survey:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dorman systematically evaluates conventional economic approaches to occupational safety and exposes their theoretical weaknesses, helping readers see where standard models fall short.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArgument on voluntariness:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book argues that unsafe work is not truly voluntary, which clarifies why market solutions alone are inadequate for protecting workers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimits of valuation:\u003c\/strong\u003e It shows why attempts to put a monetary value on life and health are often futile, guiding policymakers away from simplistic cost-benefit calculations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlternative approaches:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author presents useful alternative frameworks rooted in different assumptions about human decision-making and social interaction, giving readers practical conceptual tools.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dorman connects theory to practice by identifying policies that combine effective regulation with democratic values, making the book relevant to reform-minded readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarkets and Mortality is best for graduate students, policy analysts, labor scholars, and regulators who want a careful critique of orthodox economic methods applied to workplace risk and environmental safety. The book rewards readers who appreciate conceptual clarity and who are prepared to engage with theoretical argumentation rather than a handbook of technical prescriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a step-by-step policy manual, a primer for general readers with no background in economics, or a collection of empirical case studies may want a different, more practice-oriented volume. This is primarily a scholarly critique with policy implications rather than a popular overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear critique of standard economic reasoning that helps reframing debates about workplace safety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersuasive argument that unsafe work is not voluntary, sharpening the case for regulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConstructive alternatives to economic orthodoxy that point toward democratic regulatory options.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe book is theoretical in tone and may feel dense to readers looking for accessible, case-driven guidance.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarkets and Mortality: Economics, Dangerous Work, and the Value of Human Life\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeter Dorman\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOccupational safety, environmental risk, economic policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical survey of conventional economic methods with alternative frameworks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain conclusion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnsafe work is not voluntary and monetary valuation of life is futile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolicy focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCombines effective regulation with democratic values\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarkets and Mortality is a valuable, thought-provoking book for academics, policy makers, and labor advocates who want to challenge orthodox economic assumptions about risk. Its clear arguments and policy-minded alternatives make it good value for readers who need a conceptual foundation to advocate stronger, democratically grounded regulation rather than market-only fixes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include policy recommendations?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe author uses his critique to identify policies that combine regulation with democratic values, emphasizing alternatives to market-only solutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a technical economics text?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is theoretical and analytic in tone; readers with some background in economics or public policy will get the most from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the author argue markets compensate workers for risk?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo; the central claim is that markets do not adequately compensate workers and that many forms of unsafe work are not truly voluntary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peter Dorman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48778554409179,"sku":"0521123046","price":53.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71_bb-56lhL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778919723","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/markets-and-mortality-economics-dangerous-work-and-the-value","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}