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The Basics
Economics: The Basics
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.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Tony Cleaver
7 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Tony Cleaver (1947-)
has been a journalist, hippy, teacher, road sweeper, mountain guide, university lecturer and writer. He has lived and worked in the UK, Singapore, Chile, The Netherlands and Colombia. (from his blog)
Tony Cleaver (1947-)
has been a journalist, hippy, teacher, road sweeper, mountain guide, university lecturer and writer. He has lived and worked in the UK, Singapore, Chile, The Netherlands and Colombia. (from his blog)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 1, 2019
Although there are numerous texts available on the captioned title that covers the entire economics concepts in typical economics jargon, the book under consideration is an exception. Economics: The Basics provides holistic overview as well as leads all key concepts through lucid explanation of basics of economics that all readers, including interested laymen, can grasp them and make them use in day-to-day life matters. This is one of the advantages of the Economics: The Basics, by Tony Cleaver. It incorporates real economics issues and the most recent ones. Though the author sometimes makes the key concepts too concise, it is however hard to neglect the importance of his unique understanding of boom and bust cycles, sustainable development, public policy and international trade. As far as my reading of this text goes, the theoretical understanding of Tony Cleaver's is a mixture of new classical economics and Keynesianism. He makes his case clear in discussion of economics theories where he, intently or otherwise, emphasizes demand-side Keynesian style of economics. It is not to say that taking unique a tilted understanding of economics is bad, but giving text book readers an impression of theoretical dominance is not desired. Additionally, like all textbooks of modern schools, Economics: The Basics rarely includes leftist theoretical frameworks. Again it is of no use to add greater emphasis on this leftist ideology, however, it is always good to give a basic understanding of all schools of thoughts. For me, the book is a fine read.
March 11, 2014
This has a bit more to it than the usual economics for non-economists book: it goes in to more detail and although aimed at beginners it covers university level concepts albeit in a non-mathematical, theoretical way. Possibly for the novice some parts may move quickly but this would be an excellent companion for the A-level student interested in getting on top of the concepts before going to uni or as a refresher for someone that has already studied the subject. There's a good description of the difference between Keynesian and classical approaches to macroeconomics here.
November 26, 2011
This book was a good introduction to economics for those who don't know much about the field already (like me). However, even then, the subject matter seems to be glossed over. Otherwise, Cleaver provided very good insight on the relevance of economic policies to current news-worthy events (eg. like the economic crash of 07).
November 16, 2011
It's OK to revise concepts already studied. However it is difficult to understand if you are new to the subject.
February 28, 2015
Good overview of the main topics of a subject which I had very little prior knowledge.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews