Reading and Understanding Economics enables you to get to grips with all the issues in todays economy discussed at length everywhere you look in the media leaving you armed with a new vocabulary of key economic terms ready to conduct your own analysis next time you read a newspaper or listen to the news for business or pleasure
After graduating with a degree in Economics, and an MSc from the London School of Economics, Kevin Boakes started his working life on the bond trading desk at Greenwell Montagu Gilt-edged, which is now part of HSBC Investment Bank. As their Chief UK Economist he was responsible for giving on the spot advice to bond traders as soon as economic stories hit the news screens. He regularly contributed articles to newspapers including the Times, Observer and Guardian and appeared on the BBCs Money Programme and the Financial World Tonight. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Accounting and Finance at Kingston university. In addition to his academic work he has run a number of economics and financial market training courses for various Investment Banks. In early 2008 his first book Reading and Understanding the Financial Times, a practical analysis of financial articles from the FT, was published.
About the author
Preface
A message to the readers
A message to the teachers
The book's website
The podcasts
Acknowledgements
Part A: Microeconomics
Topic 1) Introducing Economics: Scarcity and Choice
Article 1) Britain cuts back but still goes on holiday.
The Guardian, 27 May 2008
Topic 2) The economics of demand and supply
Article 2) Supply-side squeeze explains oils relentless rise into record territory.
The Financial Times, 16 April 2008.
Article 3) Is it worth it? As the cost of private schools soars, we look at what parents get for their money.
The Economist, 28 February 2008.
Topic 3) Costs: In the short and the long run.
Article 4) Inside the Googleplex.
The Economist, 30 August 2007.
Topic 4) Competition policy in action
Article 5) BAA monopoly on airports under fire
Financial Times, 11 March 2008.
Article 6) Lack of wholesale competition blamed
The Financial Times, 9 April 2008.
Topic 5) Market failure and government intervention.
Article 7) Petrol price rises and penalties for gas-guzzlers as Chancellor Alistair Darling goes green.
The Times, 10 March 2008.
Article 8) Crude Measures: Not everybody is paying higher oil prices.
The Economist, 29th May 2008.
Topic 6) The role of government in the economy
Article 9) Privatisation: One step forward
The Financial Times, 17 December 2007.
Article 10) Sweden privatisation scheme faces delay
The Financial Times, 11 March 2008.
Topic 7) Business organisations (from large to small companies).
Article 11) Investor fury at M&S role for Rose
The Financial Times, 10 March 2008.
Article 12 ) M&S to placate investors over Rose
The Financial Times, 2 April 2008.
Article 13) Small companies face cash squeeze
The Financial Times, 28 March 2008.
Topic 8) The economics of the labour market
Article 14) Minimum wage increases by 3.8%
The Financial Times, 5 March 2008.
Article 15) German minimum wage ruled illegal
The Financial Times, 7 March 2008.
Part B: Macroeconomics
Topic 9) Macroeconomic policy: unemployment, inflation and growth
Article 16) Inflation jumps to 9-month high on data move.
The Financial Times, 19 March 2008
Article 17) Overview: Recession fears rise after US employment fall.
The Financial Times, 7 March 2008
Article 18) Are rising prices in China driven by the supply of meat or money?
The Economist, 13 March 2008
Topic 10) Money and interest rates
Article 19) Concern grows for Iceland as rates hit 15%
The Financial Times, 26 March 2008
Topic 11) Fiscal Policy
Article 20) Browns golden rule threatened by red ink
The Guardian 20 October 2006.
Topic 12) International Economics balance of payments and exchange ra