This book
explores the economic institutions that determine the nature of animal lives as
systematically exploited objects traded in a market economy. It examines human
roles and choice in the system, including the economic logic of agriculture,
experimentation, and animal ownership, and analyses the marginalization of
ethical action in the economic system.

Animals and the Economy demonstrates that individual consumers and
farmers are often left with few truly animal-friendly choices. Ethical
participants in the economy must either face down an array of institutional
barriers, or exit mainstream markets entirely. This book
argues that these issues are not necessary elements of a market system, and
evaluates a number of policy changes that could improve the lives of animals in
the context of a market economy.