Economics For Dummies

Grasp the history, principles, theories, and terminology ofeconomics with this updated bestsellerSince the initial publication of Economics For Dummies in2005, the U.S. has endured a number of drastic changes and eventsthat sent its economy into a tailspin. This newly revised editionpresents updated material about the recent financial crisis and thesteps taken to repair it.Packed with refreshed information and relevant new examples fromtoday's economy, it gives you a straightforward, easy-to-graspunderstanding of how the economy functions-and how it influencespersonal finances.* New information on deciphering consumer behavior* Refresh coverage of fiscal and monetary policies* A new chapter on health care policy and the financialcrisisPresenting complex theories in simple terms and helping youdecode the jargon, understand the equations, and debunk the commonmisconceptions, Economics For Dummies tackles the topic interms you can understand.

Introduction.Part I: Economics: The Science of How People Deal withScarcity.Chapter 1: Discovering What Economics Is and Why You ShouldCare.Chapter 2: Cookies or Ice Cream? Exploring Consumer Choices.Chapter 3: Producing the Right Stuff the Right Way to MaximizeHuman Happiness.Part II: Microeconomics: The Theories of Consumer and FirmBehavior.Chapter 4: Supply and Demand Made Easy.Chapter 5: Getting to Know Homo Economicus, theUtility-Maximizing Consumer.Chapter 6: The Core of Capitalism: The Profi t-MaximizingFirm.Chapter 7: Why Economists Love Free Markets and Competition.Chapter 8: Monopolies: How Badly Would You Behave If You Had NoCompetition?Chapter 9: Oligopoly and Monopolistic Competition: MiddleGrounds.Part III: Applying the Theories of Microeconomics.Chapter 10: Property Rights and Wrongs.Chapter 11: Market Failure: Asymmetric Information and PublicGoods.Chapter 12: Taking the Pulse of Health Economics andFinance.Part IV: Macroeconomics: The Science of Economic Growth andStability.Chapter 13: Measuring the Macroeconomy: How Economists KeepTrack of Everything.Chapter 14: Infl ation Frustration: Why More Money Isn't Alwaysa Good Thing.Chapter 15: Understanding Why Recessions Happen.Chapter 16: Fighting Recessions with Monetary and FiscalPolicy.Chapter 17: Grasping the Origins and Aftermath of FinancialCrises.Part V: The Part of Tens.Chapter 18: Ten Seductive Economic Fallacies.Chapter 19: Ten Economic Ideas to Hold Dear.Chapter 20: Ten Great Ways to Become Informed about EconomicIssues.Appendix: Glossary.Index.