Learning Basic Macroeconomics

Abstract

Because macroeconomics is grounded in microeconomics and uses mathematical models to simplify and illustrate complex processes, learning it can be difficult. Traditional macroeconomic-principles textbooks fail to connect topics and models in a concise, cohesive, and meaningful way. So, it should not surprise when a 2008 presidential candidate says, “Economics is something that I’ve really never understood” (Zuckman 2008). This book overcomes these shortcomings with better topic selection and organization, by literally building a model of the macroeconomy, and utilizing a single hypothetical numerical example throughout the book to teach the principles. Keynesian economics, a school of economic thought based on the views of the British ...