Economic Literacy: Basic Economics with an Attitude

by Frederick S. Weaver

Overview

Economic Literacy: Basic Economics with An Attitude, explains the logic, language, and worldview of economic theory while maintaining the engaging and accessible style that has made earlier editions so successful. While covering the fundamentals of the discipline, the author also includes a wide range of new material focusing on the structure, causes and results of the "Great Recession". From microeconomics and macroeconomics to the composition of international and domestic economies, Economic Literacy also makes the key distinction between economics as an academic discipline and the economy as a practical reality. By analyzing this crucial difference, the book encourages students to think critically about the distinctive viewpoint proposed by academic economics and its influence on politics and culture. Using this approach, readers will be enabled to understand both current affairs and professional economics literature, making this book uniquely beneficial for students both practically and theoretically. Never grim, often witty, and frequently insightful into our turbulent financial times, Economic Literacy's fourth edition is a must for students of economics everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442273429
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/22/2017
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.97(w) x 9.09(h) x 0.62(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Frederick S. Weaver, professor emeritus of economics and history at Hampshire College, has taught introductory economics for over forty years at five colleges and universities - public and private, large and small, high-wage and low-wage, lively and grim. He is the author of numerous books including, most recently, An Economic History of the United States: Conflict, Conquest, and Struggle for Equality (R&L, 2016)

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction

Part I: Microeconomics and the Theory of Markets
Chapter 1: Demand and Supply
Chapter 2: The Theory of the Firm, Market Structures, Factor Markets, and the Distribution of Income

Part II: Macroeconomics
Chapter 3: The Economy as a Whole: Definitions and Analyses
Chapter 4: Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Recession, and Inflation

Part III: International Economics and National Economies
Chapter 5: Comparative Advantage, Foreign Investment, and the Post-World War II Creation of the International Economy
Chapter 6: Crises and the Transformation of the International Economy

Appendix: Websites of Related Interest
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Weaver's colloquial prose inevitably makes economics more accessible than ever. Since Economic Literacy also parallels standard texts topically, it can be readily used as either the primary text with another serving as an extra-for-experts supplement, or as a secondary text to assuage the less technically savvy reader. The lack of dense, turgid language and the modicum of graphs and charts enables a casual weekend read while simultaneously facilitating critical economics thinking. And, after all, the latter is the job of teachers of economics—to encourage our students to apply an economics lens as they gaze at the world around them.

Michael L. Lahr

"Economic Literacy is an excellent introduction to the basics of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. I have used the first three editions of the book to teach political economy to undergraduates for the past decade; it provides an extremely accessible and readable discussion of the core economic concepts that students need, while requiring little more than basic arithmetic skills to understand. The fourth edition of the work improves on its treatment of American political economy and updates the data and examples to retain its relevance to today’s student population. Accurate, readable, and concise, Economic Literacy is highly recommended for interdisciplinary courses that involve economic reasoning.​"

Jeffrey Dixon

Economic Literacy is recommended reading for all my political economy classes. Weaver provides a concise, clear, and accessible primer on economics that is perfect for students seeking plain-English explanations of the economic principles and terminology referenced in political economy readings. The new edition helpfully tackles the complicated concepts of the Global Financial Crisis, further solidifying the book's utility.

Alexandra Guisinger

Praise for the Second Edition: Economic Literacy has provided my students with accessible information in a readable format. The author's additions on Social Security, tax reform, and other crucial issues will be a great contribution to my students' understanding of economics. I am looking forward to assigning the second edition. Thanks for a great text!

Avra J. Johnson

Through this text, Weaver invites the beginning economics student to become an active participant rather than passive recipient in the study of mainstream economics. The standard model and its logic are clearly and thoroughly presented, yet Weaver does so with a degree of critical thinking and a touch of skepticism—"an attitude"—-that enable students to question and consider as they learn the conventional micro and macro principles. The text provides a firm foundation for further study of economics, for interdisciplinary work in the social sciences, particularly historical capitalism, political economy, and globalization, and, in its final chapter, demonstrates the applicability of these principles in addressing and assessing our current moment of world-wide economic instability.

Jeanne Hahn

Praise for the second edition: In this new edition , Weaver highlights the major economic concepts of micro- and macroeconomic principles at the undergraduate level.. .. The volume is written in a straightforward, nontechnical manner with notable historical context. .. An excellent read for those seeking a casual overview of introductory economics. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

Praise for the second edition: In this new edition , Weaver highlights the major economic concepts of micro- and macroeconomic principles at the undergraduate level. . . . The volume is written in a straightforward, nontechnical manner with notable historical context . . . An excellent read for those seeking a casual overview of introductory economics. Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Praise for the second edition: In this new edition , Weaver highlights the major economic concepts of micro- and macroeconomic principles at the undergraduate level. . . . The volume is written in a straightforward, nontechnical manner with notable historical context . . . An excellent read for those seeking a casual overview of introductory economics. Highly recommended.

Choice