Wiley-Blackwell Invitation to Economics: Understanding Argument and Policy

Invitation to Economics empowers the reader to spot naive and spurious economic arguments by inculcating an intuitive ‘feel’ for economics. A unique and critical guide to understanding economic arguments in the media Focuses on microeconomics, specifically on the idea that economic policies often have important indirect effects Key ideas are applied repeatedly in numerous case studies drawn from newspapers and other media Economic principles are presented in an accessible and non-rigorous format using case studies Incorporates the value judgments and political judgments that underlie economic policies Review “This well-written, clearly organized book presents a nontechnical, overarching view of economic theory and how it gets applied and interpreted” (Choice Reviews, June 2009) Review "I wish I had read a book of this kind when I started studying economics. It is more than an introduction to economics--it is an introduction to economic thinking." –Facundo Albornoz-Crespo, University of Birmingham “This book is classic Mayer—reasonable, knowledgeable, and humble.” –David Colander, Middlebury College "This book will give readers insight into the way economic theory applies to important social issues in the world today." –John Hayfron, Western Washington University “Mayer’s work is a timely discussion of behavioral economics and other movements within the field. His comments on the subprime mortgage crisis in particular provide the book with an up-to-date flavor.” –Brandon Dupont, Western Washington University From the Inside Flap Our media is filled with stories of economics and policymaking. This book helps you to keep your head above water in this sea of information by empowering you to spot naive and spurious economic arguments. In short, this book will help you become a critical consumer of economic arguments. Accordingly, the book provides many examples of these arguments, and explains why they are wrong. It is not, however, just an exercise in negation; it does present some economic theory, though not in a formal and rigorous way. Instead of stressing a well-explicated theory, it inculcates an intuitive ‘feel’ for economics, which economics courses often overlook due to their strong emphasis on the technical apparatus of economics. Even those who have taken some economics courses, therefore, will still find much to learn from this book. From the Back Cover Our media is filled with stories of economics and policymaking. This book helps you to keep your head above water in this sea of information by empowering you to spot naive and spurious economic arguments. In short, this book will help you become a critical consumer of economic arguments. Accordingly, the book provides many examples of these arguments, and explains why they are wrong. It is not, however, just an exercise in negation; it does present some economic theory, though not in a formal and rigorous way. Instead of stressing a well-explicated theory, it inculcates an intuitive ‘feel’ for economics, which economics courses often overlook due to their strong emphasis on the technical apparatus of economics. Even those who have taken some economics courses, therefore, will still find much to learn from this book. About the Author Thomas Mayer is Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of California, Davis. He has also taught at Notre Dame University and Michigan State University, and as a visitor at West Virginia University and the University of California, Berkeley. He has written numerous articles in professional journals, and is the author or co-author of eight previous books. In 1978 he served as president of the Western Economic Association and in 1978-79 as chairman of the International Network for Economic Method, and has served on the editorial boards of several professional journals.