Julie A. Nelson

Macroeconomics in Context lays out the principles of macroeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Microeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic, social, and environmental realities. The “In Context” books offer engaging coverage of current topics including policy responses to recession and inflation, inequality, deficits and government debt, economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economics of environmental sustainability.This fourth edition includes:Improved and concise discussions of introductory topics, especially on key economic activities, macroeconomic goals, and economic modelsFurther emphasis on inequality, environmental sustainability, financialization, the changing nature of work, and international developments such as the role of transnational corporations and supply chain issuesDiscussion of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on macroeconomic factors like well-being, inequality, and labor marketsPresentation of policy issues in historical, environmental, institutional, social, political, and ethical contexts, including an updated discussion of fiscal policy in relation to the Biden administration’s infrastructure and social investment spendingClear explanations of basic economic concepts alongside more in-depth analysis of macroeconomics models and economic activityThis book combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms. It is the ideal textbook for modern introductory courses in macroeconomics.The book’s companion website is available at: http://www.bu.edu/eci/macro

Macroeconomics in Context lays out the principles of macroeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Microeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic, social, and environmental realities. The “In Context” books offer engaging coverage of current topics including policy responses to recession and inflation, inequality, deficits and government debt, economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economics of environmental sustainability.This fourth edition includes:Improved and concise discussions of introductory topics, especially on key economic activities, macroeconomic goals, and economic modelsFurther emphasis on inequality, environmental sustainability, financialization, the changing nature of work, and international developments such as the role of transnational corporations and supply chain issuesDiscussion of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on macroeconomic factors like well-being, inequality, and labor marketsPresentation of policy issues in historical, environmental, institutional, social, political, and ethical contexts, including an updated discussion of fiscal policy in relation to the Biden administration’s infrastructure and social investment spendingClear explanations of basic economic concepts alongside more in-depth analysis of macroeconomics models and economic activityThis book combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms. It is the ideal textbook for modern introductory courses in macroeconomics.The book’s companion website is available at: http://www.bu.edu/eci/macro

Microeconomics in Context lays out the principles of microeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Macroeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic, social, and environmental realities. The "In Context" books offer an engaging coverage of current research and policy issues from economic inequality and climate change, to taxes and globalization. Key features include:Up-to-date discussions of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on inequality, labor markets, and beyondAnalysis of recent trade issues and the implications of Brexit Presentation of policy issues in historical, environmental, institutional, social, political, and ethical contexts—an approach that fosters critical evaluation of the standard microeconomic models Clear explanations of basic concepts and analytical tools, with advanced models presented in optional chapter appendices A powerful graphical presentation of various measures of well-being in the United States and other countries, including income inequality, tax systems, educational attainment, and environmental quality A focus on human well-being from a multidimensional perspective, including traditional economic metrics and factors such as health, equity, and political inclusionA full complement of student and instructor support materials online.The book combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms. It is the ideal textbook for modern introductory courses in microeconomics. The book's companion website is available at: www.bu.edu/eci/micro

Microeconomics in Context lays out the principles of microeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Macroeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic, social, and environmental realities. The "In Context" books offer an engaging coverage of current research and policy issues from economic inequality and climate change, to taxes and globalization. Key features include:Up-to-date discussions of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on inequality, labor markets, and beyondAnalysis of recent trade issues and the implications of Brexit Presentation of policy issues in historical, environmental, institutional, social, political, and ethical contexts—an approach that fosters critical evaluation of the standard microeconomic models Clear explanations of basic concepts and analytical tools, with advanced models presented in optional chapter appendices A powerful graphical presentation of various measures of well-being in the United States and other countries, including income inequality, tax systems, educational attainment, and environmental quality A focus on human well-being from a multidimensional perspective, including traditional economic metrics and factors such as health, equity, and political inclusionA full complement of student and instructor support materials online.The book combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms. It is the ideal textbook for modern introductory courses in microeconomics. The book's companion website is available at: www.bu.edu/eci/micro

Macroeconomics in Context lays out the principles of macroeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Microeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic realities. The "in Context" books offer engaging coverage of current topics including financial crises, rising inequality, debt and deficits, and environmental sustainability, while also providing a clear and accessible exploration of economic theory and applications. The third edition features: Clear explanations of basic economic concepts alongside more in-depth analysis of macroeconomics models and economic activity Expanded coverage of topics including, inequality, financialization and debt issues, the changing nature of jobs, and sustainable development Thoroughly updated figures and data A full complement of online instructor and student support materials such as additional tables and data, PowerPoint slides and a study guideThis engaging textbook offers students an excellent guide to macroeconomics. The latest addition to the "In Context" series, it combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms.The book's companion website is available at: http://www.bu.edu/eci/education-materials/textbooks/macroeconomics-in-context/

At its core, an economy is about providing goods and services for human well-being. But many economists and critics preach that an economy is something far different: a cold and heartless system that operates outside of human control. In this impassioned and perceptive work, Julie A. Nelson asks a compelling question: given that our economic world is something that we as humans create, aren’t ethics and human relationships—dimensions of a full and rich life—intrinsically part of the picture? Economics for Humans argues against the well-ingrained notion that economics is immune to moral values and distant from human relationships. Here, Nelson locates the impediment to a more considerate economic world in an assumption that is shared by both neoliberals and the political left. Despite their seemingly insurmountable differences, both make use of the metaphor, first proposed by Adam Smith, that the economy is a machine. This pervasive idea, Nelson argues, has blinded us to the qualities that make us work and care for one another—qualities that also make businesses thrive and markets grow. We can wed our interest in money with our justifiable concerns about ethics and social well-being. And we can do so if we recognize that an economy is not a machine, but a living thing in need of attention and careful tending. This second edition has been updated and refined throughout, with expanded discussions of many topics and a new chapter that investigates the apparent conflict between economic well-being and ecological sustainability. Further developing the main points of the first edition, Economics for Humans will continue to both invigorate and inspire readers to reshape the way they view the economy, its possibilities, and their place within it.

The belief that men and women have fundamentally distinct natures, resulting in divergent preferences and behaviours, is widespread. Recently, economists have also engaged in the search for gender differences, with a number claiming to find fundamental gender differences regarding risk-taking, altruism, and competition. In particular, the idea that "women are more risk-averse than men" has become accepted as a truism. But is it true? And what are its causes and consequences?Gender and Risk Taking makes three contributions. First, it asks whether the belief that men and women have distinct risk preferences is backed up by high quality empirical evidence. The answer turns out to be "no." This leads to a second question: Why, then, does so much of the literature claim to find evidence of "difference"? This, it will be shown, can be attributed to biases arising from too-easy categorical thinking, widespread stereotyping, and a tendency to prefer results that are publishable and that fit one’s prior beliefs. Third, the book explores the economic implications of the conventional association of risk-taking with masculinity and risk-aversion with femininity. Not only fairness in employment, but also the health of the financial sector and national responses to climate change, this book argues, are being compromised.This volume will be eye-opening for anyone interested in gender, decision-making, cognition, and/or risk, especially in areas relating to employment, finance, management, or public policy.

The belief that men and women have fundamentally distinct natures, resulting in divergent preferences and behaviours, is widespread. Recently, economists have also engaged in the search for gender differences, with a number claiming to find fundamental gender differences regarding risk-taking, altruism, and competition. In particular, the idea that "women are more risk-averse than men" has become accepted as a truism. But is it true? And what are its causes and consequences?Gender and Risk Taking makes three contributions. First, it asks whether the belief that men and women have distinct risk preferences is backed up by high quality empirical evidence. The answer turns out to be "no." This leads to a second question: Why, then, does so much of the literature claim to find evidence of "difference"? This, it will be shown, can be attributed to biases arising from too-easy categorical thinking, widespread stereotyping, and a tendency to prefer results that are publishable and that fit one’s prior beliefs. Third, the book explores the economic implications of the conventional association of risk-taking with masculinity and risk-aversion with femininity. Not only fairness in employment, but also the health of the financial sector and national responses to climate change, this book argues, are being compromised.This volume will be eye-opening for anyone interested in gender, decision-making, cognition, and/or risk, especially in areas relating to employment, finance, management, or public policy.