"Provides an engaging and topical introduction to the key issues in contemporary economics. Fully updated to take into account the global recession, ongoing problems in Eurozone economies, changing patterns in world trade, housing and currency markets."--
Economics: The Basics provides a fascinating introduction to the key issues in contemporary economics. With case studies ranging from the coffee plantations of El Salvador to the international oil industry and the economic slowdown in Japan, it addresses fundamental questions such as: *Must increasing wealth for some mean increasing poverty for others? *Does producing more food for humankind mean we drive other species to extinction? *Is it true that, if we buy less coffee, farm incomes from Brazil to Kenya take a beating? *Is granting people property rights the best way to preserve fish and wildlife stocks? *Do we really have to choose between low unemployment and low inflation? Comprehensive and easy to read, this accessible guidebook is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how economics works and why it is important.
This edition has been updated to take account of current developments in this area of economics. Building on the first edition, the overall structure is retained whilst new topic boxes and up-to-date examples add to its accessibility.