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Basic Economics

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Basic Economics

By: Clarence B. Carson
Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
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This sound primer of basic economics tells all you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask about money, the market, prices, monopoly, competition, land, labor, capital, entrepreneurs, the Federal Reserve, and the distribution of wealth. For those desiring to educate themselves in economic principles, Carson will give you the tools to debate the warmed-over socialism presented by today’s media.

Carson defines and describes all of the major politico-economic systems of the past one thousand years. Feudalism, mercantilism, free enterprise, capitalism, welfarism, and communism are each allotted a chapter in the concluding section. The basics are all covered in clear, plain English, and Carson makes sure to keep his subject interesting.

©1988 Clarence B. Carson (P)1989 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Economics Education
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Critic reviews

“Clarence B. Carson has made economics readable for the layman. In his latest book, Basic Economics, Carson does what he does best; he draws on his extensive knowledge of history and free market economic theory to lead his readers carefully through the intricacies and fallacies of economic thought.”

“As narrator, Hurt has a pleasant vocal quality…He succeeds by making the most of his instrument and treating the book almost as if it were a musical score written within that range.”
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I haven't read the Wealth of Nations - but this book has reminded me i must.

I have listened 3 times and will review until i can remember it all.

Unfortunately I would like to hear more balance on the Theory. The book gives all the upsides of free market theory, but doesn't deal with the problems - war, fraud addiction, pity and abuse.

These fundamentals which create many of the 'Problem' policies, which the book discredits need not be so easily dismissed.

Adam Smith economic fundamentals

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As an Economics Lecturer I am very happy to recommend this book. It has an American flavor but the principles apply equally across the pond. The listening is easy and interesting and I recommend this book to all of my classes. For Economic analysis and formula you need to look elsewhere though. Happy listening.

Reveals the hidden truths of the world

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As an Economics Lecturer I am very happy to recommend this book. It has an American flavor but the principles apply equally across the pond. The listening is easy and interesting and I recommend this book to all of my classes. For Economic analysis and formula you need to look elsewhere though. Happy listening.

Reveals the hidden truths of the world

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I expected this to give a broad overview of general economic theories such as Keynesian and Monetarist ideas, perhaps the role of interest rates and so on. Instead you get an extremely dull US/USSR focussed book with startling insights such as not only do businesses have to watch their income, they must also watch their expenditure. Also, I have never known a book labour simple points so much - 15 minutes talking about New York rent controls to illustrate the role of prices and then another 10 making the same point with other equally banal examples. Avoid.

Avoid

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Let me begin by saying that I am not some ‘lefty’ objecting to some defence of the capitalist system.

I wanted a book on ‘Basic Economics’. This isn’t it. It’s an attempt to present right wing economic ideas and argument in such a simplistic way that they seem “obvious” and undeniable unless you’re stupid or dishonest (like most of the electorate in democratic nations apparently).

You’ll find defences of everything from sweat shops to racial discrimination legislation. You’ll see attacks on everything from charities to foreign aid. Profit-making companies are presented as omnibenevolent (most amusing was the suggestion that private insurance companies are virtually incapable of refusing to pay out) whilst politicians are incapable of acting out of anything other than self-interest.

If you want a book actually addressing Basic Economics then look elsewhere. If you want a book presenting right wing thought (something I might have welcomed) then look elsewhere. This is repetitive and despite it’s length, very little of it is interesting or thought-provoking.

False advertising

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