The world has changed dramatically in recent years and so has the field of economics, but many introductory economics textbooks have remained stuck in the past. This book provides a new beginning for the study of macroeconomics, fundamentally international in its approach and emphasizing current debates and research trends. The first, mostly descriptive half of the book presents the main macroeconomic and financial patterns observed across the world, the institutions that govern national economies and the policy options available to decision-makers. In the second half, different schools of thought in macroeconomics are introduced with an emphasis on their underlying assumptions, so that students can judge for themselves how well they apply in real-world situations.
Throughout the book, the post-2007 financial crisis is a continuing focus and financial markets are fully integrated in the analysis. Policy debates are viewed in light of political economy considerations, both domestic and international. The book's style focuses on in-depth explanations and supports teaching methodologies based on critical thinking and active learning, encouraging students to relate to current discussions, especially those taking place online.