Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know
Winner of Axiom Business Book Award's 2023 Bronze Medal for Economics

Incomes are stagnating, middle-class jobs are disappearing, economic growth is slowing, and the meager gains are mostly going to those who are already wealthy. More Americans than ever are frustrated by the direction in which we are headed. Understandable Economics aims to replace this frustration with a practical understanding of our economy and empower readers to identify and advocate for a better approach to the problems we face.

In this entertaining and informative guide, author Howard Yaruss breaks down our economic system in a straightforward way, avoiding jargon, formulas, graphs, and other technical material so common in books on this subject. Instead, he creates a compelling and comprehensive picture of our economy using accessible analogies, real-world observations, and entertaining anecdotes.

Understandable Economics will enable readers to answer questions such as:

Why is inequality soaring and what can we do about it?

Do tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs or just create more inequality?

Where does money come from, why does it have value, and who controls it?

What does the Fed do and how does it affect our lives?

Could alternative currencies like Bitcoin replace the dollar?

Is our national debt a threat?

Why do so many people believe free trade is good if it causes some people to lose jobs?

Why does the economy regularly turn down and how can we get it back on track?

... and many more.

Understandable Economics provides the context, tools and foundational knowledge readers need to thoroughly understand our economy, determine which policies would work best, and champion those policies effectively.

1140855858
Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know
Winner of Axiom Business Book Award's 2023 Bronze Medal for Economics

Incomes are stagnating, middle-class jobs are disappearing, economic growth is slowing, and the meager gains are mostly going to those who are already wealthy. More Americans than ever are frustrated by the direction in which we are headed. Understandable Economics aims to replace this frustration with a practical understanding of our economy and empower readers to identify and advocate for a better approach to the problems we face.

In this entertaining and informative guide, author Howard Yaruss breaks down our economic system in a straightforward way, avoiding jargon, formulas, graphs, and other technical material so common in books on this subject. Instead, he creates a compelling and comprehensive picture of our economy using accessible analogies, real-world observations, and entertaining anecdotes.

Understandable Economics will enable readers to answer questions such as:

Why is inequality soaring and what can we do about it?

Do tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs or just create more inequality?

Where does money come from, why does it have value, and who controls it?

What does the Fed do and how does it affect our lives?

Could alternative currencies like Bitcoin replace the dollar?

Is our national debt a threat?

Why do so many people believe free trade is good if it causes some people to lose jobs?

Why does the economy regularly turn down and how can we get it back on track?

... and many more.

Understandable Economics provides the context, tools and foundational knowledge readers need to thoroughly understand our economy, determine which policies would work best, and champion those policies effectively.

21.95 In Stock
Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know

Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know

by Howard Yaruss
Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know

Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know

by Howard Yaruss

Paperback

$21.95 
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Overview

Winner of Axiom Business Book Award's 2023 Bronze Medal for Economics

Incomes are stagnating, middle-class jobs are disappearing, economic growth is slowing, and the meager gains are mostly going to those who are already wealthy. More Americans than ever are frustrated by the direction in which we are headed. Understandable Economics aims to replace this frustration with a practical understanding of our economy and empower readers to identify and advocate for a better approach to the problems we face.

In this entertaining and informative guide, author Howard Yaruss breaks down our economic system in a straightforward way, avoiding jargon, formulas, graphs, and other technical material so common in books on this subject. Instead, he creates a compelling and comprehensive picture of our economy using accessible analogies, real-world observations, and entertaining anecdotes.

Understandable Economics will enable readers to answer questions such as:

Why is inequality soaring and what can we do about it?

Do tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs or just create more inequality?

Where does money come from, why does it have value, and who controls it?

What does the Fed do and how does it affect our lives?

Could alternative currencies like Bitcoin replace the dollar?

Is our national debt a threat?

Why do so many people believe free trade is good if it causes some people to lose jobs?

Why does the economy regularly turn down and how can we get it back on track?

... and many more.

Understandable Economics provides the context, tools and foundational knowledge readers need to thoroughly understand our economy, determine which policies would work best, and champion those policies effectively.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781493089758
Publisher: Globe Pequot
Publication date: 08/05/2025
Pages: 270
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Howard Yaruss is an economist, professor, attorney, businessman, expert witness and activist who greatly enjoys explaining complex issues in a clear, interesting and easily accessible way. He has taught a variety of courses on economics and business and currently teaches at New York University. Prior to teaching, he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Radian Group, one of the largest guarantors of debt in the world. He has also served on the Boards of organizations that advocate for safer streets, help the homeless and support the arts. Yaruss graduated from Brown University, studied at the London School of Economics and earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Manhattan and serves on his local community board.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction to the Updated Edition

PART I: THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM
1 Capitalism: What Gets Made, and Who Gets What?
2 The Changing Economy: Why Are Some People Losing Faith in Our Economic System?
3 Money: What Do Gold, Dollars, and Cryptocurrencies Have in Common?

PART II: PEOPLE
4 Spending, Production, and Income: How Big Is Our Economy, and Why Does It Matter?
5 Work Income, Investment Income, and Wealth: How Is Income Divided between Labor and Capital?
6 The (Mostly) Open Economy: What Are the Consequences of International Trade?

PART III: BUSINESS
7 The Private Sector and the Stock Market: How Is Business Organized, Owned, and Valued?
8 Corporate Behavior: What Drives Corporations, and How Can They Be Influenced? 
9 Business Consolidation and Reduced Competition: Why Are More Industries Being Dominated by Fewer Companies?

PART IV: THE ECONOMIC CYCLE
10 Boom and Bust: Must What Goes Up Come Down?
11 The Federal Reserve System and Banking: What Is the Fed’s Role, and How Is New Money Created?
12 Monetary Policy: How Does the Fed Fight Economic Downturns?
13 Fiscal Policy: How Can Government Spending and Tax Policies Fight Downturns?

PART V: THE GOVERNMENT
14 The National Debt: What Is the Cost of the Government’s Unbalanced Budget?
15 Government Policy and Earnings: How Can Our Economy Become More Equitable and Productive? 
16 Taxes, Spending, and Income Distribution: What Is the Government’s Role in the Distribution of Income?

Epilogue 
Notes 
Acknowledgments
Index
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