For principles of economics, public policy, and social issues courses. Brief, relevant readings that spark independent thinking and classroom discussions. The Economics of Public Issues is a collection of brief, relevant readings that spark independent thinking and classroom discussions in Principles of Economics and Social Issues courses. This text encourages students to apply theoretical discussions to today’s important issues and to gain a deeper understanding of current economic policy concerns.
Key Features
- Spark independent thinking and classroom discussion.
- Readings are concise, allowing for easy integration into any principles of economics or issues-based classroom.
- A correlation guide in the preface illustrates how to integrate topics into different courses.
- Conversational and informative non-technical writing is geared toward principles-level students and does not require advanced math.
- Using the latest debates in social policy, the authors encourage readers to question their own assumptions and the analysis offered by the media and politicians on key issues.
- Discussion questionsare included for each real-world issue, and an online Instructor’s Manual provides tips for leading classroom dialogues.
New to this edition
Illustrate the power of economics in explaining the world around us. The new issues addressed in this edition include the following:
- Surf Gangs (lessons from surfers on property rights and economic efficiency).
- All Fracked Up (how a natural gas exploration is making us richer and greener).
- Over $1 Trillion in College Debt, and Rising (but for many young people, borrowing to go to college is still the right thing to do).
- The Deception of Green Energy (the unsustainability of wind farms, solar panels, and electric cars).
- Save a Turtle, Kill a Person (why bans on plastic bags waste resources, harm the environment, and threaten human lives).
- The Economics of the Big Mac (lessons we can learn from the ultimate burger).
Contents
Part One: The Foundations of Economic Analysis
- 1 Death by Bureaucrat
- 2 Supersize It
- 3 Flying the Friendly Skies?
- 4 The Mystery of Wealth
- 5 Surf Gangs
Part Two: Supply and Demand
- 6 Sex, Booze, and Drugs
- 7 All Fracked Up
- 8 Kidneys for Sale
- 9 Are We Running Out of Water?
- 10 Bankrupt Landlords, from Sea to Shining Sea
Part Three: Labor Markets
- 11 (Why) Are Women Paid Less?
- 12 Over $1 Trillion in College Debt, and Rising
- 13 The Effects of the Minimum Wage
- 14 Immigration, Superstars, and Poverty
- 15 The (Dis)incentives of High Taxes
Part Four: Market Structures
- 16 Patent Trolls and Seed Monopolies
- 17 Contracts, Combinations, and Conspiracies
- 18 Coffee, Tea, or Tuition-Free?
- 19 Keeping the Competition Out
Part Five: Political Economy
- 20 The Deception of Green Energy
- 21 Save a Turtle, Kill a Person
- 22 Raising Less Corn and More Hell
- 23 The Pension Crisis
- 24 The Graying of America
Part Six: Property Rights and the Environment
- 25 Save that Species
- 26 Greenhouse Economics
- 27 Ethanol Madness
- 28 The Trashman Cometh
Part Seven: Globalization and Economic Prosperity
- 29 The Economics of the Big Mac
- 30 Globalization and the Wealth of America
- 31 The $750,000 Steelworker
- Glossary
- Selected References
- Index
About the Authors
- Roger LeRoy Miller received his PhD from the University of Chicago. He is currently Director of the Institute for University Studies in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Miller is a legal specialist and author of numerous books on law and the legal environment, including criminal procedure. In addition, Dr. Miller has authored books on the war on drugs, the economics of crime and criminal behavior, and on related topics.
- Daniel K. Benjamin - Alumni Distinguished Professor, John E. Walker Department of Economics, Clemson University.
Book Details
- Paperback: 264 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 18 edition (c2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0133022935
- ISBN-13: 978-0133022933
- Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
- List price:$39.40