I have a request. My training is in science & engineering, but I am totally ignorant of basic economics. I have come to see this as a huge blind spot. I feel my views on social issues are fairly well-reasoned, but when it comes to anything fiscal, it’s all very touchy-feely at present.
Can anyone recommend intro material on economics (books, tutorials)? I ask on LW because I have no idea where to start and who to trust. If you offer a recommendation of a book pushing some particular economic “school of thought,” that’s fine, but I’d like to know what that school is.
Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt is a good slim introduction to the economic mindset. For a different approach focused on the application of economic thinking to everyday life The Logic of Life by Tim Harford is worth a look. Neither book covers much of the math of economics but I think that is a good thing since most of the math heavy parts of economics are the least useful and relevant.
ETA: Economics In One Lesson is a heavily free market / free trade ‘classical’ economic slant.
Pick up a copy of Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell. It is, by far, the best introduction to economics I’ve ever read. Don’t be put off by the size of the thing — it’s a very easy read and requires no background in math. There’s a follow-up book by the same author, too: Applied Economics.
I have a request. My training is in science & engineering, but I am totally ignorant of basic economics. I have come to see this as a huge blind spot. I feel my views on social issues are fairly well-reasoned, but when it comes to anything fiscal, it’s all very touchy-feely at present.
Can anyone recommend intro material on economics (books, tutorials)? I ask on LW because I have no idea where to start and who to trust. If you offer a recommendation of a book pushing some particular economic “school of thought,” that’s fine, but I’d like to know what that school is.
Thanks!
Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt is a good slim introduction to the economic mindset. For a different approach focused on the application of economic thinking to everyday life The Logic of Life by Tim Harford is worth a look. Neither book covers much of the math of economics but I think that is a good thing since most of the math heavy parts of economics are the least useful and relevant.
ETA: Economics In One Lesson is a heavily free market / free trade ‘classical’ economic slant.
The book I used in my college Econ 101 class was this one.
MIT OpenCourseWare has a lot of material. I also like Bryan Caplan’s lecture notes (these sometimes have a libertarian slant).
Pick up a copy of Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell. It is, by far, the best introduction to economics I’ve ever read. Don’t be put off by the size of the thing — it’s a very easy read and requires no background in math. There’s a follow-up book by the same author, too: Applied Economics.
I believe a textbook is always a better first step.
A good textbook is a better first step. Unfortunately, there are some truly dire textbooks out there.