Always Learning

Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Tom Riddell, Smith College
Jean A Shackelford, Bucknell University
Steve C. Stamos, Bucknell University
Geoffrey Schneider, Bucknell University

ISBN-10: 0321423585
ISBN-13:  9780321423580

Publisher:  Prentice Hall
Copyright:  2008
Format:  Paper; 648 pp
Published:  08/06/2007


Print this content

In this section:


Description

Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society offers a clear, simple introduction to economic analysis in a style that is ideal for a one-semester introductory course. The authors take a historical perspective, presenting economic theories and their connections to a wide variety of schools of thought. The goal is to help students use economic concepts to analyze today’s issues, to think about everyday decisions, and to examine their preconceived ideas and beliefs.


Features

  • A heterodox approach includes perspectives often missing from other economics textbooks—without emphasizing one perspective over the others. Students are exposed to a greater variety of schools of thought, encouraging debate and independent thought, two critical elements for learning.
  • A strong historical perspective traces the development of modern economic thought, beginning with the evolution of economic systems, and connecting the stories of Adam Smith, classical economics, Keynesian economics, and Marxism to current economic policies and debates.
  • Part 3 focuses on the latest issues and debates, such as policies regarding the global economy, race and gender, and the environment.
  • Thinking Critically sections, featured at the end of each part, present both sides of current economic issues and ask students to use their economic tools to analyze the arguments and come to their own conclusions.
  • Big Picture boxes provide accessible explanations of key concepts, including the Aggregate Demand/Aggregate Supply model, so students see the big picture without needing to know all the components of the model first.


New To This Edition

  • Big Picture boxes now extend to both microeconomic and macroeconomic chapters in the text, to make the chapter material accessible to students at all levels of economic experience.
  • Chapter 2 is revised with updated data and is streamlined to be more straightforward and accessible.
  • Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 are reorganized to be in chronological order.
    • Chapter 3 focuses on economic systems and private property from antiquity forward.
    • Chapter 4 discusses Adam Smith and classical liberalism.
    • Chapter 5 covers Karl Marx and the socialist critique.
    • Chapter 6 concentrates on John Maynard Keynes and the rise of the mixed economy.
  • Economic data and figures are extensively updated throughout.
  • Additional end-of-chapter questions further student learning and comprehension.


Table of Contents

I. ECONOMICS AS A TOOL FOR CRITICAL THINKING IN A CHANGING GLOBAL ECONOMY
1. Economics as a Social Science
2. Exploring the Emerging Global Economy

II. ECONOMIC HISTORY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT
3. The Evolution of Economic Systems
4. Adam Smith, Classical Liberalism, and the Division of Labor
5. Karl Marx and the Socialist Critique of Capitalism

6. The Rise and Fall of Laissez-Faire in the U.S. Economy

III. MICROECONOMICS
7. Scarcity: “You Can't Always Get What You Want”
8. The Theory of Markets
9. Perfect Competition and Efficiency
10. Noncompetitive Markets and Inefficiency
11. Resource Markets and the Distribution of Income
12. Corporations and Labor Unions
13. The Economic Role of Government

IV. MACROECONOMICS
14. Macroeconomics: Issues and Problems
15. Macroeconomic Theory: Classical and Keynesian Models
16. Fiscal Policy: Government Spending and Taxation
17. Financial Markets, Money, and Monetary Policy
18. Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
19. Unemployment, Inflation, and Stabilization Policy in a Global Economy

V. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
20. International Trade and Interdependence
21. International Finance
22. The Economics of Developing Nations
23. Economies in Transition


Next Edition(s)

  • Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 9/E
    Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
    ©2011  |  Prentice Hall  |  Paper; 656 pp  |  Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131368494  |  ISBN-13: 9780131368491
    Brief Description  |  More Info



Back to top

Print this content

In this section:


Author Bios


Back to top

Print this content

In this section:


Websites and Online Courses

Companion Website for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321476409  |  ISBN-13: 9780321476401
More Info

Back to top

Print this content

In this section:

Online Instructor's Manual for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  Electronic Supplement  |  Available
ISBN-10: 0321472756  |  ISBN-13: 9780321472755

Show Downloadable Files
 | More Info

Online Test Bank for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321513061  |  ISBN-13: 9780321513069

Show Downloadable Files
 | More Info

PowerPoint with Art, Figures, & Lecture Notes for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321547969  |  ISBN-13: 9780321547965

Show Downloadable Files
 | More Info

Back to top

Companion Website for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321476409  |  ISBN-13: 9780321476401
More Info

Back to top


Websites and online courses

Companion Website for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321476409  |  ISBN-13: 9780321476401
More Info


Websites and Online Courses

Companion Website for Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society, 8/E
Riddell, Shackelford, Stamos & Schneider
©2008  |  Prentice Hall  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321476409  |  ISBN-13: 9780321476401
More Info

Log in to the Instructor Resource Center

Login name: 

  Password: 

Forgot login/password?  |  Need to redeem an access code?

        

Instructor Resource Center File Download

This work is protected by local and international copyright laws and is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from this site should never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on these materials.

Cancel     I accept, proceed with download

Print this content

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students contact your Pearson Higher Education representative.

Back to top