Economic literacy is vital for functioning effectively in today's society. Consumers need to manage their finances, investors need to plan for their future, and voters need to choose among competing economic plans. As students move on to college or enter the workforce, their understanding of the economy will help them become financially…

The search for a social goodness function in economic systems is reviewed, especially in light of the fact that the economy is a subsystem of a biosphere that has its own rules for determining success, or at least for limiting feasibility. The frequent perversity of reductionist quantitative success indicators in economics (profit, quotas, GDP) is…

Demonstrates how benefit-cost and present-value analyses can be used to assess the potential social benefits of government projects and to illustrate how interest rates affect decision-making in government and business. (AYC)

This introductory lesson on teaching economics concepts contains sections on the following: purpose; objectives; time; materials needed; and step-by-step classroom procedures. The focus is on the economic problem of scarcity and opportunity costs. Attached is an original skit, "There's no such thing as a free lunch," and a chart that…

States that many economics textbooks define economic rent in 1 of the 2 ways discussed 30 years ago by E. J. Mishan. Contends that the 2 definitions are not substantially different, rendering the dichotomy invalid. Examines 15 microeconomics textbooks to determine whether they validate Mishan's categories of rent definitions. (DB)

Argues that the aggregate good is a powerful pedagogical device in economics. Uses a simple graphical analysis that demonstrates to the student the concept of an aggregate good, that preferences can indeed be collapsed from many goods to two. (DB)

This series of 20 self-contained lessons in the study of economics, features activities that can be used with any high school economics instruction. The lessons included are: (1) Opportunity Costs; (2) Factors of Production; (3) Economic Systems; (4) Self Interest; (5) Class Struggle; (6) Economic Institutions; (7) Supply and Demand; (8) Markets…

This report indicates that a proper accounting for the size of the arts industry should be adjusted to incorporate "unmeasured" industry "revenues" stemming from contributions of time and commodities as well as the willingness of the public to pay more in taxes to support the arts. The contributions of the arts industry will be…

Explains why risk aversion does not always induce a greater information value, but instead may induce a lower information value when increased. Presents a basic model defining the concept of perfect information value and providing a numerical illustration. Includes references. (CMK)

Reviews recent research into the theory of the kinked demand curve in economics. Applies this theory to economic concepts such as marginal cost and price flexibility. Discusses the implications for corporations and government policymakers. (CFR)

Discusses the economic concepts of complementarity and anticomplementarity related to prices of inputs. Reviews traditional treatment of these concepts by economics instructors and textbooks. Presents an approach that builds on the concepts of input complementarity, independence, and anticomplementarity. (CFR)

Argues that, although most economics textbooks' explanations of imperfect competition may involve three to five models, the concept can be taught using a single, simple model. Uses several business/economic examples as illustrations. (DB)

This book presents economic concepts in relation to topics commonly taught in social studies at the lower grade levels. The lessons are intended to accompany appropriate segments of the social studies curriculum, such as family, self, home, school, neighborhood, community. Lessons include the concepts of scarcity, needs and wants, goods and…

Focuses on the effect of interest rates on the increased use of credit cards, a popular method of financing households. Uses three models to demonstrate that interest rates must rise, resulting in increased consumption expenditures. (CMK)

Presents a compelling argument refuting Ian Pearce's eclectic approach to economic awareness. Focuses on three questions: (1) what is the purpose of economic awareness; (2) what does economic awareness entail for the classroom; and (3) what view of economics does the Ian Pearce's approach convey? Offers five reasons for rejecting the eclectic…