Charles Wheelan has a PhD in economics and is a journalist who writes about economics. He has written a book absolutely loved by college students taking economics 101 because he has made this historically dry subject so entertaining. For Example:
Every market transaction makes all parties better off. Even Asian sweatshops have full employment because it is the best option their workers have. Antiglobalization protesters say that world trade is something imposed on third world countries by rich countries, but win/lose thinking is wrong when it comes to economics. Trade gives poor countries access to markets in the developed world and the opportunity to become richer, and the loudest complaints against the antiglobalization protesters came from the developing world. Sweatshops played an important role in the early journey out of poverty by (among others) "asian tigers" South Korea and Taiwan. Have you ever heard of American workers applauding the closing of a factory in the US? It has been suggested that the antiglobalization coalition should be renamed, "The Coalition to Keep the World's Poor People Poor."
"Naked Economics" has perhaps 200 more short examples such as the one above, taken mainly from periodicals such as the "New York Times," "The Economist," and "The Wall Street Journal." These stories will tell you things that you will immediately realize you want to know, such as why government is your friend when taken in small doses, why lawyers deserve a round of applause (but no encore, please), why the army was lucky to get that screwdriver for $500, why Bill Gates is richer than you are, why "get rich quick schemes" make you poor, why we don't need the gold standard, why the Federal Reserve Board can snub presidents...
and why politicians ignore gravity and pass economically stupid laws, how economists showed orchestras they were discriminating against women, how the homeowners on your street are a special interest group, why when economists reach a consensus on policies that would make us better off, brick walls of political opposition materialize, why there's a shortage of cabs and apartments in New York City, why free international trade always benefits all participating countries, why tariffs and import quotas always reduce standards of living, why basic economics made the collapse of the USSR inevitable, a new answer to why the chicken crossed the road, why CEO's are paid in stock options, how smokers help the rest of us, why many American Indians live in mobile homes...
and why the former USSR had two abortions for every single live birth, whether or not "supply side economics" boosts tax revenues, whether a Harvard graduate (20 years later) has earned more money than an LSU graduate, whether or not a state patrolman should utilize racial profiling, why there's a striking lack of correlation between a country's natural resources and its standard of living, why a wealthy man is one who earns $1000 /year more than his wife's sister's husband, why no one has to be poor, how to pick the shortest line at the grocery store, how presidents prevent Congress from adding pork when negotiating international trade agreements...
and why a half-million people in India are disfigured by a disease that costs three dollars to treat, which US president committed the greatest fiscal blunder, which presidential candidate said, when asked what he would do if Alan Greenspan died before finishing his term, said, "I would prop him up and put a pair of dark glasses on him," why Japan needs a stiff dose of inflation, how globalization (thus far) has brought 1.4 billion people out of poverty while the US still prospered, why excessive regulation goes hand in glove with corruption, why Argentina is the poster child for irresponsible monetary policy, and finally, whether the USDA should tell Swanson how many slices of pepperoni they should put on their frozen pizzas.
In each eloquent chapter Wheelan sounds the trumpet for the value and power of sound economic theory. I wish "Naked Economics" were required reading for every twelfth grade young adult, every college student, and especially every voter.
As long as I'm fantasizing anyway, I wish every legislator who casts a vote revealing his economic ignorance or who participates in the relentless Congressional porkfest - and that would be all of them - would be sentenced to a comfortable cubicle with good lighting until they finish reading and pass a test on "Naked Economics." Five stars for sure.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$17.95
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jan 23
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
