Finding a Textbook for Macro-Economics Beginners

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding suitable textbooks for beginners in macroeconomics, particularly for participants preparing for the Fed Challenge. The scope includes recommendations for introductory materials and resources that can aid in understanding macroeconomic theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a need for a comprehensive yet accessible macroeconomics textbook, indicating a lack of prior knowledge in the subject.
  • Another participant suggests that the inquiry belongs in the Social Sciences forum and provides links to various resources, including Wikipedia and AP Economics course descriptions.
  • Greg Mankiw's "Principles of Economics" is recommended as a suitable introductory textbook by one participant.
  • Samuelson's economics textbook is also mentioned as a potential resource.
  • A participant notes that while not a substitute for textbooks, a Berkeley webcast could serve as a useful supplementary resource.
  • One participant mentions that both Mankiw and Samuelson's books were recommended on Amazon, and they plan to consult their economics teacher for further guidance.
  • A later reply references a video by Yoram Bauman, suggesting additional resources for learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple recommendations for textbooks, but there is no consensus on a single best option. The discussion remains open with various suggestions and resources provided.

Contextual Notes

Some participants emphasize the need for lower-level materials, while others provide links to more academic sources, indicating a range of assumptions about the appropriate level of complexity for the recommended texts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in introductory macroeconomics, particularly those preparing for competitions or seeking foundational knowledge in the subject.

dtl42
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Now, I know this is a physics forum, but I am interested in economics a bit. I am planning on competing in the Fed Challenge with a team from my school. I need to know macro-economics theory, which I do not. Does anyone know of a good textbook for macro? could I use an AP prep book? Thanks very much.

PS - I have little-to-no knowledge of economics, so any books would have to preferably be fairly lower level, while still comprehensive and chock full of content.

PPS - I wasn't sure which forum/subforum to stick this in, so I decided General Discussion couldn't hurt.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe it belongs in Social Sciences (Econ...)
https://www.physicsforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=85

Start with - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroeconomics - but find more official (or academic) sources.

Look here for AP Econ course description
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_maceco.html
download pdf which may have description or syllabus

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/ex_pmac.html

Maybe something useful here
http://www.worldbank.org/html/dec/Publications/Workpapers/macroecon.html

Perhaps the best is to download from MIT's Open Course Ware
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Economics/index.htm

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Economics/14-02Fall-2004/DownloadthisCourse/index.htm
 
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For an introductoy economics course, I found Greg Mankiw's book, "Principles of Economics" very nice.
 
Economics, by Samuelson
 
On Amazon.Com, someone recommended both of those books as well, by Samuelson and Mankiw, so I am fairly sure I will go with one of those, but tommorow I will ask the econ. teacher at my school, because she will defintely know.

Thanks very much to all those who responded!
 
Heh reminds me of a video by a Yoram Bauman

 
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