Public Finance and the American Economy (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Neil Bruce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0321078152 | ISBN-13: 978-0321078155 | Edition: 2

This comprehensive, accessible introduction to public finance (the economics of the government sector) in the United States utilizes microeconomic theory and methods to illuminate the often confusing area of public policy. The author uses the economic theory of the household, firm, and market to understand the impacts of government spending, distribution and taxation policies, and the concepts of efficiency and equity to evaluate their relative worth. The second edition is current with the latest data and with various policy issues and debates in the headlines today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 2 edition (November 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321078152
• ISBN-13: 978-0321078155
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book in Public Economics, October 26, 2001

By 

LMT78 (LOS ANGELES, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Public Finance and the American Economy (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I am using this book for an Introductory Public Financ/Economics Course. I find the book quite easy to follow. The concepts and wording are very easy to follow. The graphs are quite clear and informative.

One does need the basic concepts/tools of microeconomics. Such as indifference curves, edgeworth boxes, basic supply/demand, slopes, etc. The summary at the end of each chapter I find very helpful as do the questions at the end of the book.
Overall a good book, worth a recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done, February 3, 2008

By 

sjames1 (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Public Finance and the American Economy (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Good book, perhaps a little dated. It's complete and to the point, with explanations that are well explained but not overly wordy. A dry guy, the book is probably more exciting than his actual lectures...but he knows what he's talking about and conveys it quite well.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neil Bruce is God, August 26, 2006

By 

Amy Schaetz (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Finance and the American Economy (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Professor Neil Bruce balances economic theory with real-world examples and applications. His graphs and mathematics are explained thoroughly and the text covers both expenditure policy as well as tax policy; making the textbook good for 2 seperate courses/semesters.