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Economics: The User's Guide: A Pelican Introduction Mass Market Paperback – 25 June 2014
by
Ha-Joon Chang
(Author)
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A Pelican introduction to economics that shows why we need not - indeed should not - leave it to the experts alone
What is economics?
How does the global economy work?
What do different economic theories tell us about the world?
In Economics- The User's Guide, bestselling author Ha-Joon Chang explains how the global economy works, and why anyone can understand the dismal science. Unlike many economists who claim there is only one way of 'doing economics', he introduces readers to a wide range of economic theories, from classical to Keynesian, revealing how they all have their strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. By ignoring the received wisdom, and exposing the myriad forces that shape our financial fate, Chang provides the tools that every responsible citizen needs to understand - and address - our current economic woes.
What is economics?
How does the global economy work?
What do different economic theories tell us about the world?
In Economics- The User's Guide, bestselling author Ha-Joon Chang explains how the global economy works, and why anyone can understand the dismal science. Unlike many economists who claim there is only one way of 'doing economics', he introduces readers to a wide range of economic theories, from classical to Keynesian, revealing how they all have their strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. By ignoring the received wisdom, and exposing the myriad forces that shape our financial fate, Chang provides the tools that every responsible citizen needs to understand - and address - our current economic woes.
- Print length528 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Press
- Publication date25 June 2014
- Dimensions2.54 x 2.54 x 18.03 cm
- ISBN-100718197038
- ISBN-13978-0718197032
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Review
Page turning... A fascinating, hurtling explanation of everything... You could use it as a primer, a reference book, a brief history; it is all these things... It reflects the urgent generosity of a thinker whose depth of understanding is matched by a desire to see us all understand... Ha-Joon Chang's wealth is in his knowledge, perceptiveness, insight and vision. And he can't give it away fast enough. It flies off him like the seeds of a dandelion -- Zoe Williams ― The Guardian
Brilliant... Chang's lightness of touch makes often dry subject matter very readable... The first section is a page-turning history, the second a call to arms about how to apply economics in the real world using simple, everyday examples ― Financial Times
Brilliant... Chang's lightness of touch makes often dry subject matter very readable... The first section is a page-turning history, the second a call to arms about how to apply economics in the real world using simple, everyday examples ― Financial Times
About the Author
Ha-Joon Chang teaches economics at Cambridge University. His book 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism was a no.1 bestseller and was called by the Observer 'a witty and timely debunking of some of the biggest myths surrounding the global economy.' He is a popular columnist at the Guardian, and a vocal critic of the failures of our economic system.
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin Press; 1st edition (25 June 2014)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 528 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0718197038
- ISBN-13 : 978-0718197032
- Dimensions : 2.54 x 2.54 x 18.03 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 30,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 90 in Theory of Economics
- 26,114 in Textbooks & Study Guides
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,404 global ratings
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Top reviews
Top reviews from Australia
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Reviewed in Australia on 18 September 2021
Verified Purchase
Ha-Joon Chang writes exactly how I like to read, concise, well-articulated and riddled with nerdy references; he had me at "Martin (The Hobbit) Freeman". Economics has been that interest area of mine that always felt a little unattainable, but this book was the perfect introduction. I read through it in about two weeks, and now have a better idea of topics within economics that I want to study further. He avoids the ubiquitous "myth debunking" style of economics literature, and just plods through all the foundational topics, explaining and critiquing. His overarching argument is that everyone should learn economics and that is it important not to subscribe too heavily in one school of thought, because each school has strengths, weaknesses and biases.
Reviewed in Australia on 29 June 2014
Verified Purchase
I am now about 80% of the way through the book. As an interested amateur this is the first book I have met that attempts the challenging task of trying to summarise different schools of economic thought. While I feel there is a small tendency to romanticise the post war period (up to 1970s) my overall feeling was this this is valuable contribution. It allows members of the public to think about economics as a part of their role as citizens - to understand the essentials and critically engage with arguments around it.
Top reviews from other countries

daily walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must-read for any "student" of economics
Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2024Verified Purchase
Ha-Joon Chang's "User Guide" is an accessible, engaging resource for anyone wanting to see the big picture in the complicated universe of economics. Also, the book layout, notes, and index make it an essential addition to any personal reference library. I share with some of the other comments from other readers that I wish I had read this as an undergraduate Econ major forty-plus years ago. The author analyzes vital concepts and the ABCs of economic theories, their strengths, and weaknesses in real-world settings. Chang also addresses the inseparability of economics and policy with their profound social implications, for example, the Pareto criterion about the "greater good." For a comprehensive understanding of the subject, this book is a must-read. However, a baseline of economic coursework (which everyone should have!) will be helpful for a greater appreciation. It is an excellent starting point for individuals seeking to broaden their understanding of the massive field of economics and its relevance to our lives.

T. Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Non-sense take on Economics
Reviewed in Canada on 12 December 2022Verified Purchase
Ha Joon Chang is the man. There's no doubt about that, and he speaks with a unadorned clarity that is a breathe of fresh air in this age of verbal shenanigans. I recommend this to any fledgeling economist, a layman who wants to know more about the economy, econ majors, really anyone who likes to spend or earn money or create value.

Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sehr guter Überblick
Reviewed in Germany on 26 April 2023Verified Purchase
Sehr gut, besonders das Kapitel über die verschiedenen Volkswirtschaftstheorien!

jemaldi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imprescindible para tener opinion sobre temas economicos
Reviewed in Spain on 23 February 2022Verified Purchase
Una explicacion muy interesante y muy critica de los concepto economicos mas importantes. Ilustrados con muchos datos