My intention is that by reading the book you will acquire really useful transferable skills,
which will help you engage with economics in any context such as television, radio reports
or the internet. You will quickly learn how even some complex economic theory relates to
the real world. Certainly by the end of this book I am confident that you will be able to
give clear answers to some of the major economics questions that dominate our lives.
1. How do consumers react to uncertain economic times?
2. How did the credit crunch impact on small companies?
3. Should you send your children to a private school?
4. Why are the UK’s airports such a disgrace?
5. Are you paying too much for electricity and gas?
6. Why are oil prices so high?
7. Should the government use the tax system to reduce carbon emissions?
8. How does Google make its money?
9. Is a national minimum wage a good thing?
10. Does privatisation always improve competition?
11. What is the best time to buy shares?
12. Why did Bear Stearns collapse?
13. Why does inflation seem to be much higher than the government says it is?
14. What is meant by a recession?
15. Does the US current account deficit matter?
16. What causes a currency to rise or fall?
17. Why are our top companies and brands being bought out by overseas companies?
18. What can shareholders expect from the companies they invest in?
Read this book and you will have the answers . . .
The main features of the book:
A selection of articles
The topics that have been selected for inclusion in the book will form the basis of any introductory
economics course. They also feature the key economic concepts and terms that
are vital to understand. You will find a wide range of topical subjects covered. They include
themes that recur regularly in the news so that once you have read through the analysis
in the book these subjects will become much clearer.
All key terms explained
The specialised terms used in each article are clarified. The style of this explanation of
terms is different from the standard approach of academic textbooks since practical analogies
are drawn to help students from a variety of backgrounds understand the concepts.
An insider’s view and self-review questions
Through a combination of practical and academic skills the articles are brought to life in a
user-friendly way. Linked to each article is a selection of self-review questions, which can
be used for self-study, or they can form the basis for further discussion activities in class.
Opportunities for further research
At the end of each topic there are useful suggestions for further reading in the main economics
textbooks. These references always include the relevant chapter and sometimes
even particular pages from the chosen texts. I have attempted to highlight where certain
economic concepts are particularly well explained.
Data exercises and web-based activities
In many cases a data exercise is also integrated which requires the analysis of certain statistics
related to the relevant topic. Where appropriate, there is also a web-based activity,
which requires application of the newly acquired knowledge.