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Much of economics is a top-down analysis that simplifies and reduces the huge varieties between individuals to a predictable range of characteristics that lend themselves to systematic analysis. This book eschews this conventional perspective, which sees national economies as simply agglomerations of the activities of millions of people, and instead explores the role played by the individual in the economy, in particular, how the individual experiences the economy. In so doing, the book is able to illuminate the economic landscape for the non-technical reader in a much more engaging and accessible way.
Steve Coulter examines those areas of our lives that most direcly connect with the economy – jobs, education, healthcare, housing, personal finance, welfare, consumption – and explores how the individual choices we make are determined. He shows how the things we experience, need and consume fit into a fast-changing and interdependent global economic setting and highlights the role of government and markets in shaping our lives.
— Diane Coyle, Professor of Economics, University of Manchester
Everyday Economics succeeds in introducing readers to economics through a number of important, topical and accessible case studies. Its strength is not only the amount of relevant concepts it includes, but the way in which they are handled, which is completely different to textbooks, being far more discursive and accessible. It was a real pleasure to read. It is certainly relevant to, and suitable for, students of A level and Pre-U economics, with some chapters directly addressing specific elements of these syllabuses, and with others being highly valuable background reading. I will certainly be recommending the book to my students.
— Graham Mallard, Head of Economics, Clifton College
A great read. … a non-partisan look at the economics profession. … it is in the area of policy development whereby better understanding individual behaviour and learning from other disciplines [that] the use of economics can best help distinguish between good and bad policy measures.
— Vicky Pryce, former Joint Head of the UK's Government Economic Service
Steve Coulter is Head of Industrial Strategy and Skills at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and Visiting Senior Fellow at the European Institute of the London School of Economics.
1. Economics; what is it good for?
2. Knowledge is power: education and training
3. Let's get busy: work and occupations
4. Get well soon: health and healthcare
5. Making the world go around: money and personal finance
6. Home sweet home: the housing market
7. Shop 'til you drop: shopping and consumption
8. From cradle to grave: benefits and welfare