Vito Tanzi is Honorary President of the International Institute of Public Finance (IIPF). He was the Undersecretary for Economy and Finance for the Italian government and the Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the International Monetary Fund. He is the recipient of five honorary degrees and has authored twenty-five books and hundreds of articles. An economic effect, the 'Tanzi Effect,' carries his name.
'The book encapsulates Tanzi's reflections and musings on both economic history and the history of economic thought from the three periods studied. His aim of evaluating who was more sensible, those pushing for minimal state involvement or those arguing for a larger role for the government, is admirable and timely. Recommended.' K. J. Murphy, CHOICE