I guess, after looking at the thing, there isn’t much to
give credit to not to denigrate this thing.
Most people, if given the choice, will go after a bigger
name for their micro book. Others may
not. They may assume that their author is
not easily google-able and they may have ultimate authority.
The problem with this book, I assume, is the problem with
most basic econ books. The people coming
here have no choice about which micro book to buy. If you’re looking at this one, it is
passable.
There are problems, but there are problems with the
discipline. The book assumes that you
haven’t taken any calculus. The mathematical
basis of the text is algebra. Sadly, to
really understand what is going on in even the most basic form, you need at
least calculus one. Your advisor didn’t
tell you that.
No calculus means that supply and demand are not part of a
dynamic system, but are just a thing that balances. It is alienating, but it is also illuminating
if you don’t need the context and just want to go home over the holidays explaining
deadweight loss to your family. You
should still buy them gifts, because otherwise you look mean.
A couple of notes: the last chapter is about trade and comparative
advantage, it grows to macro and leaves
the micro behind. As part of a combined
course it works. Finally, on page 157
there is a horrible derivation of opportunity cost. It is a very important part of the course,
and it should be told better as a story.
It isn’t here.
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