Abstract: This book shows that in calling economics the ‘dismal science’, Thomas Carlyle was profoundly wrong. The influence of economic thinking on other social sciences is bringing about a theoretical integration of all the social sciences under one overarching paradigm. The ten chapters of this book illustrate the intellectual advances that account for this unified view of economics and societies. The key theme that emerges is the interaction between political, economic, legal, and social forces. Examples of this include the political influence of corruption and special interest groups, the organizational structure of a government, the effect of commercial law, and the differences between communities with high and low social fragmentation. All these affect and are affected by economic conditions.

Keywords: economics, economies, social sciences, societies