Economics: The Basics

The Basics

by Tony Cleaver

Now in its third edition, The Basics continues to provide 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, it covers fundamental issues, • How different economic systems function • The boom and bust cycle of market economies • The impact of emerging markets • How price, supply and demand interact • The role of the banking and finance industry • Whether we can emerge from recession and reduce poverty • The impact of economics on the environment With a glossary of terms, suggestions for further reading and new case studies covering subjects such as the choices facing developing economies, the impact of growth on the price of natural resources and the aftermath of the financial crash; this comprehensive and accessible guide is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how economics works.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Politics, Business

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Librarian 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)

Reviews

[Qasim Ahmad Ilyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Alejandro Shirvani · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

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).

[Andrea Aramu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's OK to revise concepts already studied. However it is difficult to understand if you are new to the subject.

[Gareth Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the main topics of a subject which I had very little prior knowledge.