"Essentials of Economics" is the market leader for the one-semester survey course. In just about 400 pages, it provides a solid introduction to the core concepts of economics with an emphasis on real-world examples and current events. "Essentials" has earned its popular success because, unlike other books on the market, it is free of the abstract and complex theory that requires more time than this course allows. Instead, the text is clean and concise, with many examples of significance to students today, including Headlines and Policy Perspectives that use current events to help illustrate the topics discussed. This real-world policy emphasis is a distinctive feature of Schiller's text and is integral to its dominance of the survey text market.

Table of Contents

Section I:Basics Chapter 1The Challenge of Economics Chapter 2The U.S. Economy Chapter 3Supply and Demand Section II:Microeconomics Chapter 4Consumer Demand Chapter 5Supply Decisions Chapter 6Competition Chapter 7Monopoly Chapter 8The Labor Market Chapter 9Government Intervention Section III:Macroeconomics Chapter 10The Business Cycle Chapter 11Aggregate Supply and Demand Chapter 12Fiscal Policy Chapter 13Money and Banks Chapter 14Monetary Policy Chapter 15Economic Growth Chapter 16Theory and Reality Section IV:International Chapter 17International Trade