Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming poo? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? How much do parents really matter? These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He studies the riddles of everyday life--from cheating and crime to parenting and sports--and reaches conclusions that turn conventional wisdom on its head. Freakonomics is a groundbreaking collaboration between Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, an award- winning author and journalist. Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, they show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives--how people get what they want or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing.

AN EXPLANATORY NOTE

INTRODUCTION: THE HIDDEN SIDE OF EVERYTHING

WHAT DO SCHOOLTEACHERS AND SUMO WRESTLERS

HAVE IN COMMON?

HOW IS THE KU KLUX KLAN

LIKE A GROUP OF REAL-ESTATE AGENTS7

WHY DO DRUG DEALERS STILL

LIVE WITH THEIR MOMS?

WHERE HAVE ALL THE CRIMINALS GONE?

WHAT MAKES A PERFECT PARENT?...

PERFECT PARENTING, PART II; OR: WOULD A ROSHANDA

BY ANY OTHER NAME SMELL AS SWEET?

EPILOGUE: TWO PATHS TO HARVARD..

BONUS MATTER..

NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IMDEX