1. Introduction : the world economy in historical perspective -- 2. Economic growth and development : a very long-run view -- 3. Growth theories : old and new -- 4. Managing aggregate economic instability : from Keynes to Lucas -- 5. International economic integration in the Second Global Age.

"It is widely believed that central banks have grown (the Bank of England) or were established (the Federal Reserve) to pursue the twin objectives of monetary and price stability. But why should they? Central bankers are people, too, whose behavior is presumably determined, like the rest of us,...