Includes bibliographical references and index.

The importance of economics -- Economics as a science -- An overview of economic systems -- How the price system works -- How buyers behave --
How prices are set -- Surpluses and shortages -- How sellers behave -- Maximizing profits -- Competition and monopoly -- Competition and the market mechanism -- Poverty and wealth -- What is macroeconomics? -- Gross national product -- Explaining the performance of the national economy -- Money and monetary policy -- Fiscal policy -- Practical problems in applying monetary and fiscal policy -- Economic growth -- The role of government in the American economy -- The Soviet economic system -- Comparing economic systems -- International trade -- The international monetary system -- The underdeveloped countries -- Furthering economic development in a peaceful world.

Personally. I find economics fascinating, and I hope you will, too. The fascination lies partly in the subject matter, for economics confronts some of the most compelling of contemporary issues, such as the energy crisis, food shortages, world inflation, pollution of the environment, tensions between the developing and developed countries, the wealth and poverty of individuals and of nations. I have drawn on my experience, both as economist and as journalist and editor, in covering these important issues of our time, and have tried to make this book as lively and real and readable as I knew how.