Product Description
This third edition of a classic text continues to be an invaluable resource for all students and reserachers in the fields of development economics and development studies.

Reflecting recent developments, it includes new material on: national systems of innovation including the information technology boom in India, the ongoing impact of globalization and the continuing programmes of foreign aid across all developing countries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Must read!
Interesting coverage of the impact of the information technology boom in India, the ongoing impact of globalization and the continuing programmes of foreign aid across and the limitations of exisitng modalities in the delivery of international aid. A very intelligent book. ... Read more

Product Description

This popular textbook provides a comprehensive but accessible coverage of health economic principles and applications. It provides an introduction for those with no previous knowledge of economics, but also more advanced material suitable for those with a background in economics. Now into its second edition, Barbara McPake and Charles Normand have incorporated developments in economic evaluation and economics of health systems from recent research and experience while retaining an accessible approach and style.

The book starts with a section on basic economic principles as applied to health and health care, and goes on to discuss economic evaluation in health care, the economics of health systems and health care finance. Examples and illustrations are taken from a wide range of settings and world regions, reflecting the authors’ belief that the same principles apply, and that it is useful to have some understanding of how different countries organise the health system. It provides an understanding of the performance of different health systems from the insurance based approaches in the United States to government funding that is common in Canada and most countries in Europe, and the mixed systems that operate in most low-income countries.

This book is ideal for students in public health and related courses, for health care professionals and those studying health economics at a more advanced level.

Customer Reviews (2)

McPake contribution
I use this in teaching medical students to be able to have decent informed conversations about the cost and effectiveness of health care. Every health professional should be introduced to this rational, ethical and social perspective of health

Diagnosis: Good
Health Economics is a rapidly improving field of economic thought, and this new book is a very well written introduction that I have found to be very stimulating indeed.

It is not too long, but does not get overly technical and uses a wide variety of internationally based case studies to explain issues and topics with great aplomb.

Well worth a look if you, like me, are interested in Health Economics, or if you are into Public Health. ... Read more

Product Description
This landmark study provides an integrated analysis of China's unexpected economic boom of the past three decades. The authors combine deep China expertise with broad disciplinary knowledge to explain China's remarkable combination of high-speed growth and deeply flawed institutions. Their work exposes the mechanisms underpinning the origin and expansion of China's great boom. Penetrating studies track the rise of Chinese capabilities in manufacturing and in research and development. The authors probe both achievements and weaknesses across many sectors, including China's fiscal, legal, and financial institutions. The book shows how an intricate minuet combining China's political system with sectoral development, globalization, resource transfers across geographic and economic space, and partial system reform delivered an astonishing and unprecedented growth spurt. The volume chronicles many shortcomings, but concludes that China's economic expansion is likely to continue during the coming decades. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Background on China's Economic Changes
The authors begin by summarizing China's economic environment prior to the reforms begun by Deng Xiaoping in 1979. Product and process innovations were pushed aside in favor of simply "fulfilling the plan," unless innovation was specifically ordered. Thus, both products and processes were outdated. Security considerations mandated movement of factories to interior regions during the 1950s and 1960s. Ideological objectives imposed economic costs such as curtailing small-scale commerce to protect citizens from the evils of capitalism, or closing schools to send urban youth to work in the fields.

Two factors galled China's leaders after Mao. 1)Its standing within East Asia was weak - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong had raced far ahead. 2)Chronic food supply problems, memories of the 1959 famine with its 30-40 million deaths created the greatest pressure and receptivity to reforms beginning in the farm sector. Many Chinese didn't bother to work in the fields because there was no reward for additional hands in the commune system; in addition, many potential workers were themselves suffering from malnutrition. Changing to household farming from collective efforts brought new incentive, the increased nutrition added energy and workers - the outcome was millions of villagers looking for outside employment in rural areas. The excess workers created local restaurants, stores, private schools, etc.

Dual prices (fixed at government-set levels for quota production, market levels for any excess) encouraged change and increased output without major disruptions such as the population being unable to afford any goods (eg. Russia, years later; minimized political struggle) and also encouraged regional specialization and the transfer of production to other areas. (Formerly self-sufficiency within areas and regions had been emphasized, supported by residential permits limiting migration.) Special economic zones were created as controlled experiments in relaxed rules - they also attracted these newly available workers and often were led by entrepreneurs from Taiwan and Hong Kong experienced in exporting. These special zones also brought Chinese workers and managers into contact with world methods, standards, and prices. Eventually 150-200 million rural Chinese migrated to these expanding economic zones.

Pre-reform policies allowed local government experimentation and variation within broad guidelines set by the central leadership. This allowed national leaders to assemble coalitions of like-minded officials to both demonstrate the merits of their thinking and lobby for support and expansion. This flexibility continued during economic reforms, with new guiding principles. China does not operate through detailed regulations (eg. the U.S. Federal Register), but via well-publicized speeches of the leadership which the populace and local leaders interpret. Local officials also controlled most State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). After reforms began, area economic performance became the arbiter of success instead of the previous ideological benchmarks determining officials' chances of promotion or replacement. These changes made public administrators champions of growth, encouraged mentor-student relationships, and sending study teams to leading provinces and cities so their successes could more rapidly spread.

The retirement of Deng Xiaoping and other "revolutionary leaders" led to generation-skipping leadership change (omitted those of the Cultural Revolution era with limited education and strong biases) and the acceleration of change by appointing younger individuals with greater overseas study and/or business experience. At the start of reform, private business operated in legal limbo. Some entrepreneurs disguised their firms as collectives, others purchased protection from powerful individuals or agencies. Full legal guarantees were not provided until 2000, and legalization of private property did not become complete until 2007. SOEs evolved from government "operating" to "owning," and then their numbers rapidly decreased from 77.6% of industrial production in 1978 to 15.2% in 2004-05 as the government slimmed down to areas of strategic interest - eg. excluding clothing. Overall, the "Big Bang" (eg. Russia's approach years later) was avoided, partly because political realities historically had made that difficult; China also lacked the capital markets and clear ownership rights required for total changeover.

"China's Great Economic Transformation" does not go nearly into as much detail on education, and offers no detail on its health care. What is provided, however, is still quite interesting. Per UNESCO, in 2002 China's average class size was 34.5 in primary grades, 56.7 in lower secondary schools. At the city primary level, nearly 43% of teachers had some college education. Of the world's nine largest nations, China ranks 7th in the percent of GDP spent on education. About 60% graduate from high school. (It is difficult to correlate data from China to the U.S. because of differing and unclear definitions.)

Finally, as for science and technology, China was held back by the Cultural Revolution, and now spends only about half the proportion of GDP as the U.S. However, it is rapidly expanding with U.S. assistance in eg. drug research and software development, as well as mandated technology transfers being part of major partnerships (eg. autos and airplanes).

Bottom Line: "China's Great Economic Transformation" is an outstanding contribution to understanding major organizational change and economic development. ... Read more

Product Description
Books in BarronÂ's Â"Business Review SeriesÂ" are intended mainly for classroom use. They make excellent supplements to main texts when included in college-level business courses. In adult education and business brush-up programs they can serve as main textbooks. All titles in this series include review questions with answers. This expanded, updated text explains plotting and understanding economic graphs, market equilibrium and the nature of the price system, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and the dynamics of international trade. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Economics
this book breaks down the priciple charts and concepts and explains economics in a way that anyone could understand it. I'll be getting the other books in this series by this publisher because of the quality of this text.

Excellent Desk Reference
If you are looking for an excellent supplement to required college texts, Barron's Economics is a reference that belongs in any student's library. It is well-organized, succinct, and contains well-written chapters that provide both an overview and review questions to ensure the user understands the concepts.

excellent
Received the book in expected time of delivery.
the book is is in excellent condition.

Good Referece
This is a good reference book.The best part is that it is not intended to be a text book.It gives you just what you may need and is well organized.

Barron's Economics
Barron's Economics provides a thorough overview of basic economic topics.It is easy to read and well organized. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for the Survey of Economics course, the eighth edition of Economics: Theory and Practice introduces students to basic economic concepts, institutions, relationships, and terminology. This book prepares students to use economic thinking in their classes, careers, and everyday lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Eco Book Good Buy
I was very satisfied with the delivery time. I ordered on a Friday, and had it by Mon. The condition was good, but had a bit more markings than I anticipated. Overall, good buy, and good price.

Great book
Received in excellent condition.Book arrived promtly and was excactly how i ordered it.Thanks!!

Economics: Theory & Practice
Product came on time and as described.
Totally Satisfied.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A good, balanced presentation, but a bit scattered
This is a good explanation of basic ideas in economics.It is balanced without leaning too far to either the left or right, which can be a problem with other introductions to economics because the the authors often have an ideological ax to grind.

The one downside is that the format lends itself to presenting ideas in isolation.The author does reference other sections, but the reader does not get a narrative that holds everything together.

A wonderful guide for beginners and professionals alike.
This is a fantastic read and superb addition to the 50 ideas series by Quercus. Edmund Conway does a masterful job in articulating some of the more complex and confusing subjects in a clear and concise manner. Far too often I find economists flatter to deceive with complex explanations that send the reader on a merry go round of associations and links, such that they finish up more confused than when they started. This book does a wonderful job of taking the reader through core economics principals with a healthy balance of anecdotes, quotations from key thinkers and in some cases amusing anecdotes. I have been a professional in finance for almost 10years, and whilst the book is certainly aimed at those with less experience, I still found it highly informative and thought-provoking. ... Read more

Product Description
This text has been revised to reflect theoretical, empirical, and policy developments of the past decade.New insights into strategic behaviour from game theory are given attention.The chapters on antitrust policy have been integrated with the related theoretical materials. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the world’s leading experts on economic education—William Walstad of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln—has prepared the Study Guide. Each chapter contains an introductory statement, a checklist of behavioral objectives, an outline, a list of important terms, fill-in questions, problems and projects, objective questions, and discussion questions. The text’s glossary is repeated in the Study Guide so that the student does not have to go back and forth between books. Many students will find this “portable tutor” indispensable. ... Read more

Product Description

Building on the success of its predecessors, the Third Edition continues to explore the theories of local economic development and address the dilemmas communities face. Blakely and Bradshaw investigate planning processes, analytical techniques, business and human resource development, as well as high-technology economic development strategies.

Customer Reviews (3)

Fantastic reference text!
I utilized this text while taking an Economic Develoment course as an undergraduate student.I am probably partial to the text as my Professor was a co-author.R.I.P Professor Bradshaw!

Overpriced and full of bogus economic "facts"
It's really as if someone from another planet or dimension wrote this book, or at the very least someone who is completely illiterate when it comes to economics.

The authors blame the very brief, and relatively mild recession of 2001 on "the gap between the haves and the have-nots."

Huh? Everyone with even a modicum of education knows that the economic slowdown began when the NASDAQ bubble burst in March of 2000, which turned into a full-blown recession a year later.

The authors call the 1980s and early 1990s (The Reagan-Bush 41 years) "one of the most traumatic economic experiences since the Great Depression."

Again, huh? Reagan inherited a basket-case of an economy from Jimmy Carter in 1981, but by 1983 the economy was experiencing one of the greatest booms in American history. The Reagan years saw the creation of nearly 20 million new jobs in the United States. There was a relatively mild and rather short (less than a year) recession in the middle of Bush 41's term in office, but it is pure lunacy to compare it in any way to the Great Depression.

I suspect the authors of this text are more interested in indoctrinating young and impressionable college students into a leftist worldview with dishonest propaganda than they are at actually informing and educating students with an unbiased assessment of the economic realities of our nation's recent history.

The best one available
I have purchased several books to use for the Economic Development class that I teach within a MPA program.This is the best book available for public administrators.Chapter 5, which is about "analytical techniques" is rather watered down.A couple of the chapters are getting a little outdated.Overall, this book provided a good general understanding of economic development. ... Read more

Product Description
The ninth edition of Consumer Economic Issues in America, is a comprehensive update of one of the most thorough and readable texts in the field. The text is straightforward and highlights the fundamental consumer economic issues affecting all consumers. Author E. Thomas Garman educates and empowers students as they gain knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as consumers. An emphasis is placed on understanding the American economic system, consumer concepts, evaluative criteria and environmental issues.The book takes a normative, pro-consumer viewpoint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not the best book for consumer issues
This book was required for a Consumer Education class. Some of the chapters are great, with lots of information on the resources that are available for consumer protection. However the author repeatedly inserts his blatantly biased political views throughout the book which at times becomes very distracting from the core material you are trying to learn. Even worse is that some of the suggested test questions require you to know the authors political opinions. Educators needs to pass on using this textbook in their classrooms and instead find a more balanced text on consumer issues. ... Read more

Product Description
The 7th edition Guide to Everyday Economic Statistics is a handy little guide that can be consulted for clarification whenever any of the statistical series dealt with are encountered.The authors examine how different series are constructed and how we may use them effectively.This guide puts statistics in context, so the reader can see how an individual statistic relates to the larger picture.Because of this, students won’t have to read the book consecutively from beginning to end. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Poor Service
I am very dissapointed in the service of Amazon.I put in the name of the book and was guided to the 5th edition instead of the latest version(6th).There was no way to verify the edition on line at the time of purchase. This appears to me to be a scam by Amazon to divest themselves of the old inventory.When I found the error and did additional research to obtain the ISBN number I found the 6th edition.Since then, the search in Amazon has been updated and both editions appear.Still no reference to editions but surprizingly the 5th edition is priced higher.Another part of the scam to trick buyers to buy the 5th edition because logic thinking would put the newer/latest edition at a higher price then the older obsolete 5th edition.When Amazon management was presented with the issue; my error, no can help you.Guess what, for basicly shipping charges of the two books, Amazon has lost my future business and the bad PR to all I talk to in the future.Sure hope the balance sheet improved due to the shipping charges.

Greatly Dissatisfied Customer

Excellent!Very Informative read!
Excellent resource for those wanting to get a deeper grasp of everdayeconomic statistics.Thoroughly explains these statistics and why they areinfluential in our economy.

Highly recommended read! ... Read more

Product Description
This book brings together two very disparate areas, economics and culture, considering both the economic aspects of cultural activity, and the cultural context of economics and economic behavior. The author discusses how cultural goods are valued in both economic and cultural terms, and introduces the concepts of cultural capital and sustainability. The book goes on to discuss the economics of creativity in the production of cultural goods and services; culture in economic development; the cultural industries; and cultural policy. An important topic analyzed in a stimulating and nontechnical style. ... Read more

Product Description
Contains over 3,000 terms explained in clear, simple language. Topics covered include inflation, exchange rates, macroeconomics, important economists, theories, policies, principles, rules and laws.Also explains common abbreviations found in economic journals and magazines which often lead to confusion for the non-specialist reader. ... Read more

Product Description
The Elgar Companion to Austrian Economics is a major new reference work whichhighlights the common ground between all the branches of the school while demonstrating the breadth and diversity within it. The Companion reflects the many areas where Austrian economists have made contributions, including technical economics, methodology of the social sciences, political theory and political science. This book includes contributions from an international group of scholars whose work demonstrates a basic similarity and interest in questions which have historically been associated with the Austrian approach to economics, although many of the contributors would not consider themselves to be strictly of this school. The distinguished team of contributors commissioned by the editor includes: K.D. Hoover, I.M. Kirzner, A. Klamer, D. Lavoie, C.K. Rowley, M. Rizzo, M. Rutherford, R.E. Wagner, U. Witt, L. Yeager. Each entry is fully referenced and includes suggestions for further readings on the topic.The Companion will be the standard reference work for all those engaged in the field of Austrian Economics.It not only introduces students to the Austrian school, but also serves as an important research tool for scholars working within the Austrian tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For Austrians
This book is very usefull in order to get in contact with the Austrian School of Economics. Is a collection of paper regarding very different topics important in that tradition of Economics. If you are an expert in Austrian tradition is really amazing, if you are just beginning can confuse you, because it has a lot of intents of cross Austrian with different traditions in thought like phenomenology. ... Read more

Product Description
Rich in both quantitative techniques and economic theory, American Economic History demonstrates how an understanding of our past can illuminate economic issues that face society today and in the future.

Overseas Empire; Colonial Development; America on the Eve of Revolution; Gaining Independence; Westward Expansion; Population and Labor Force; Law and the Rise of Classical American Capitalism; Transportation: Internal Improvements and Urbanization; Agricultural Expansion: The Conflict of Two Systems on the Land; The Debate Over Slavery; The Early Industrial Sector; The Financial System and the International Economy; Economic Effects of the Civil War;  Railroads and Economic Development; Post-Civil War Agriculture; Population Growth and the Atlantic Migration; Industrialization, Entrepreneurship, and Urban Growth; Big Business and Government Intervention; Financial Developments 1863-1914; The Great Economy and Its International Relations; Labor and the Law; The Command Economy Emerges: World War I; “Normalcy”: 1919-1929; The Great Depression; The New Deal; The “Prosperity” of Wartime; Before the New Frontier: The Postwar Economy; Population, Health and Labor; Postwar Industry and Agriculture; To the New Millennium and Beyond; Does Our Past Have a Future?

For those interested in learning how our present economy works by exploring its past.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Econ History
This book is very good with the history of the economy from the start of the colonies to the present but does not cover all that I need for my class so I have had to borrwo from my instructor another book.

Among the best you can get in economic history
This is a wonderful textbook for anyone looking to teach a course on economic history of the United States. For just general reading I would recommend Gordon's An Empire of Wealth but for others looking to teach or do an independent study this is a must. It clearly lays out all the developments in our economy very carefully and does a wonderful job of discussing current and relevant literature so you can specialize in the areas that you wish to look at further.

Explorations inAmerican Economic History
American Economic History is a challenging, extensive, and complete economic history of the United States from the establishment of the Jamestown settlement to modern economic issues and trends.Hughes and Cain give an overview appropriate to the college upper classman or graduate student.The book does a particularly fine job of discussing and analyzing the slavery question that, for the most part, led to the Civil War and the various causes, such as the Stock Market Crash of 1929, that led to the Great Depression. The authors survey the various strains of thought on most of the central economic issues in American History: sometimes giving the most logical view(s) as based on the emperical evidence available to the economist-historian. In addition, to being, generally, well written and accurate, the text lends itself to a short or moderate length essay as a means of evaluation. ... Read more

Product Description
"This book provides a systematic and coherent framework for understanding the interactions between the micro and macro dimensions of economic adjustment policies; that is, it explores short-run macroeconomic management and structural adjustment policies aimed at promoting economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of structural microeconomic characteristics in the transmission of policy shocks and the response of the economy to adjustment policies. It has particular relevance to the economics of developing countries.

The book is directed to economists interested in an overview of the economics of reform; economists in international organizations, such as the UN, the IMF, and the World Bank, dealing with development; and economists in developing countries. It is also a text for advanced undergraduate students pursuing a degree in economic policy and management and students in political science and public policy.

Product Description

In recent times not only have traditional areas of public economics such as taxation, public expenditure, public sector pricing, benefit cost analysis, and fiscal federalism thrown up new challenges but entirely new areas of research and inquiry have emerged. This second edition builds upon the strengths of the previous edition and incorporates results of research on new areas such as global public goods, environmental taxation and carbon permits trading and the complexities of corporate taxation in a rapidly globalizing world.

The book is a modern and comprehensive exposition of public economics. It includes extended discussions on topics of particular interest to developing countries and covers subjects such as:

• taxation in an economy with a large informal sector
• the challenges of using VAT
• the use of randomized evaluation
• theory of public expenditure and public goods including global public goods
• incentive effects of taxation and tax incidence

This book discusses the major traditional areas of taxation and public expenditure as well as emerging issues relating to public economics in the globalized world economy. It will be useful as a reference and update on the modern literature on public economics for professional economists and policymakers, as well as providing invaluable information as a basic text for undergraduate and graduate students in public economics.

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book for graduates and senior undergraduates
The subject matter of this book has become very important with the growthof deregulation policies. It is well known that, certain industries andactivities cannot be left to the market forces and need to be owned by thepublic sector. Professor Jha has done an excellent job in explaining thebasis for the public sector firms and to manage them efficiently. ... Read more

Product Description
This book has been written for the new Cambridge International Examinations syllabus in Economics and is endorsed by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). It is divided into two main units, Core (AS) and Extension (A level), each of which represents a self-contained programme of study. As well as fully supporting the syllabus, the book equips students with the skills needed to succeed in the examinations, and describes how these skills and concepts will be examined by CIE. To help students understand the topics and prepare for the examination, the authors have included a range of stimulus material and self-assessment tasks, as well as specimen CIE question papers. Although specifically produced for CIE's A level Economics examinations, the book will also be of value to students and teachers of other Economics syllabuses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

fmaxrobs
I have used this text twice to teach AS-Level economics. First, being a UK text, it focusses on trade and exchange rates more than an economics text for students in less trade-dependent countries. That alone is no flaw.

Understanding economics as taught in English poses definite challenges: In English many economics concepts sound very alike, yet mean different things. Economic theory's abstractness only adds to the problem and the fact that few adolescents [who take AS-levels] know much about the world of affairs makes the problem worse. Accordingly economics writers should lay out matters in fewest words possible, with direct syntax, and straining reader imagination least. With many economics texts, not just this one, readers spend significant time wondering what the author's point is or why they are reading what is before them.

This text is well laid out in sections on different topics, yet too often those sections lack clarity. Many sentences are clumsy; some are simply wrong. Producing an error-free text is hard. Producing a text effective for learning is harder. An economics text should not be for those, who already know economics, can spot its errors, and offer better explanations. An AS-Level economics text should be for youngsters presumably starting with zero grasp of economics

Likely cause for this text's errors and often clumsy prose, is having six authors, all in different cities.

What accounted for problems named in the prior paragraph (above) is not known for sure, but one can easily imagine that (1) the publisher had a deadline, which the authors were (2) still in a rush to meet, and (3) with little or no prior coordination among themselves, the six authors (4) hastily submitted their portions, which the publisher's editor (5) had too little time to review and correct [as a near printing deadline loomed]. Or (6) the publisher's editor was not up to reviewing and correcting any economics text.

This text depends greatly on instructors to unscramble and even decipher. If young students lack that resource, they should be already wise in the workings of the world of affairs or be budding Newtons.

The following outline often helps me explain new words or concepts.

1. Concept name.
2. What concept does. [Most important]
3. How concept is applied.
4. Why knowing concept matters.
5. What else the concept may tie in with.

This outline is not the ultimate solution to explaining new material. Help from those with greater experience is most welcome.

A VERY GOOD INTRO TO ECONOMICS
As a teacher of Economics, I believe this manual matches very well the requirements of the Cambridge A/AS Level relevant syllabus. Bamford and colleagues provide students with the right tools needed to succeed in the exams. Each chapter includes an introducion, self-assessment tasks, cases, summary and key words: all of these parts cooperate in giving the students a wide vision of the topics. The text is a must for any AS Level or A Level Economics candidate.While many Economics manuals are considered unclear and unfriendly by the students, this book can really satisfy with the foundations of economics the young demanding reader. The language is simple and plain, while concepts remain always rigourous. Bamford and colleagues cover especially well the price system, international trade, economic efficiency, government intervention. The figures are clear and can be understood by anyone with a background in elementary algebra. Useful is the chapter about preparing for examinations. The book would work well as the right handbook for students who are interested in Economics also beyond A/AS Level. In my opinion, Bamford and colleagues have written a text that can also serve as a solid starting point for the first year of the university. I have really appreciated this book and I would like the idea of translating it for the Italian market. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

In Defense of Economic Sanctions
As a realist, Baldwin holds that state actors can successfully assert international influence and power by using economic means, even when the actual results are a failure in economic terms.This broadened potential for success arises from the often-underestimated utility of non-economic, security-based outcomes, such as signaling other nations about strategic intentions and commitments.Thus, by his argument, we should judge the U.S. sanctions against Iraq or Cuba as successes, not as the failures they are commonly held to be.

He writes that "mutually beneficial exchange relationships . . . should be viewed in terms of power" (xi).For Baldwin, we should see economics not as a voluntary market structure that freely distributes goods, but should instead see the market as "an instrument of politics" (3).Any time that economics is used as an instrument of international politics, he calls it "economic statecraft," which Baldwin defines as "governmental influence attempts relying primarily on resources that have a reasonable semblance of a market price in terms of money" (30).

Although he sees economic statecraft as relying upon economic resources, the desired results should not necessarily be viewed in economic terms.He instead conceptualizes the results of economic statecraft quite broadly, as being "influence attempts," which means that they try to influence the behavior of other statesin any way, economic or otherwise.It is this contention around which the importance of Baldwin's entire argument hinges, for it is this broadening of the intended results of economic statecraft to include all "influence attempts" that leads him to conclude that "the utility of economic techniques of statecraft has been systematically underestimated because of inadequacies in the analytical frameworks used to make such estimates" (58).

What does Baldwin have in mind when he emphasizes non-economic types of influence?When we think of economic sanctions, one key tool of economic statecraft, he reminds us that "the particular state with which trade is embargoed may or may not be the primary target of the influence attempt" (17).Here he draws our attention to the broader strategic context of international relations, by reminding us of the importance of onlookers in strategic interaction between two states.Analysts commonly use the concept of "signaling" to describe the mutual perceptions among participants and onlookers in a particular strategic interaction."Economic sanctions may be effective not because of their economic impact, which may be nil, but rather because of the signal they send about the intentions of the state imposing the sanctions" (24).These signals can have a variety of effects, both positive and negative, that will structure future strategic calculations and interactions.Economic sanctions "may trigger a sense of shame, impose a sense of isolation from the world community, signal a willingness to use more radical measures, or simply provoke reexamination of policy stances in the target country" (63).The strength of Baldwin's argument here is that it breaks ground into areas that liberal accounts cannot tread by virtue of their reliance upon the imperatives of voluntary exchange implicit in the market.By going past this limitation, Baldwin shows how state agents can structure world power by manipulating the choices, capabilities and payoffs that other actors possess, and thereby shape the matrix of incentives.

A thorough analysis of the correlates of successful santions
Baldwin manages to capture much of the dynamics of sanctions policies in modern international relations.He extracts the theory of statecraft and most clearly defines the role of economics.Finally he considers cases of sanctions and provides a compelling explanation of success or failure.A must read for all students of economics and international relations. ... Read more

Product Description
Economics Made Easy Economics: A Self-Teaching Guide is back in a new and revised edition to help you teach yourself introductory economics quickly and painlessly. Using the most up-to-date information, this new edition gives you a clear picture of the way our economy works. Essential math and analysis skills are presented right at the beginning, so you can understand principles and equations from the start—without a lot of struggle. Whether you use it as an introduction, a review, or a supplement to other materials, Economics: A Self-Teaching Guide, Second Edition is the perfect resource for anyone exploring basic economics. In clear, easy-to-follow language, Steve Slavin covers every aspect of the U.S. economy, including a historical review, resources, macro- and micro-economics, gross domestic product, the economic sectors, inflation and unemployment, fiscal policy, banking and monetary policy, economic theory, supply and demand, and much more. To help you to gauge your understanding of the material, exercises are provided throughout the book and a self-test at the end of each short section sums up all you have learned. With the help of Steve Slavin, economics is no longer a mystery—it’s a fascinating realm of exploration and discussion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A Good Refresher
I majored in economics long, long ago.It's a good thing the school doesn't know how much I've forgotten since then, or they'd probably want to revoke my diploma.

I was "discussing" an economics issue a while back and confused myself trying to remember some of the terminology and how a particular model was supposed to work.The next day I stopped by Barnes & Nobel to pick up a big fat economics book.I read about four pages and stopped.A few days later I read the same four pages again and put the book away for good.I just wasn't motivated enough to struggle through, one paragraph at a time.(Note: I got straight A's in my economics classes.With the right carrot dangling in front of me, I probably could have made it through the book, although it would have taken months, and there was no guarantee I wouldn't forget it all over again.)

Steve Slavin's book isn't like that.He covers the basics in a fairly entertaining manner using history and real life examples.He includes short quizzes at the end of each section, but at about the half way mark, I skipped right past the self tests and continued reading.

I read this on a Kindle and will keep Slavin's book in my Reference collection - I'm sure I'll want to refer back to it from time to time.

I just wish I could remember who I had that argument with a few months ago, now that I'm back up to speed on basic economics.

Very easy to read
I am using this book for a foundational economics class in grad school, and I'm amazed at how easy it is to read. The author is almost too casual - it catches me by surprise time and time again! But the shift to such a casual approach is a breath of fresh air compared to other required school textbooks.

Excellent Primer: Pleasant Read without a Text Book feel
I have not read an economics book in years but I found this book an excellent primer/refresher. The book breaks down numbers to a rather elementary level, almost too elementary, in order to teach at all levels but the more knowledgable can skip over that and move on through the book. Excellent graphs and examples, no laboriously written detail, straight forward and a very entertaining writing style. Nicest thing about this book, you can blaze through the material while getting a solid grasp. Not for the experienced but a great introduction for young students or for the old hand trying to get a solid refresher. The book also is a very pleasant read without a text book feel.

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This is a great series. More than a book, it's a mini-course in economics. If you have never studied economics, but suddenly need to know the basics (like me) then this is an excellent place to start.

Make no mistake, you have to do the work- you can't just sit back and read. The self-tests throughout each chapter are what make sure you have been paying attention and have grasped the material. You need a bit of discipline to get through. When you do finish, you'll know as much as anyone who has just finished an introductory economics course (as long as you stay on schedule and manage to finish in 1~2 months).

I would recommend this book (or any title in this series) to anyone who needs a basic grasp without formal study, or to someone who is considering going back to school but is not sure if they should take the plunge. Better to start off by paying the price of a book than to commit to a formal (and expensive) course.

good for all beginners
Very simple and easy to understand. This book is great for the MacroEconomics clep test. It gives an overview of MicroEconomics (about 25% of the book), but probably wouldn't be enough for a MicroEconomics clep. Definitely worth buying if you want a good basic overview of Economics. ... Read more