Understanding the economy to make better decisions
A “manual” has been published to guide the reader through the mechanisms of markets and production
First understand, then act wisely. A lesson that always applies, to everyone. Including, of course, those who find themselves at the helm of a company or organisation. In other words, Luigi Einaudi’s motto – “know to decide” – always applies, even if it is often forgotten. So it is vital to equip yourself with the right tools to understand not only where you are, but also the consequences of your actions. “Il primo libro di economia” (Economics: The Basics), written by Tony Cleaver (an economist who has taught for a long time in Anglo-Saxon and now South American universities) and now published in Italy, is perfect for those who really want to understand not only the principles of economics, but also the economy in which they are operating.
The book covers the key concepts of economics and the main mechanisms that drive it, such as how different economic systems work, the successes and failures of market economies, the impact of emerging markets on the world economy, the interactions between price, supply and demand, the role of banks and the financial industry, the conditions that allow us to overcome recession and reduce poverty, and the impact of the economy on the environment. However, the subject is not organised in the same way as a university economics textbook, but in successive chapters that deal with specific topics from case to case: economic systems, neoclassical economics and the price mechanism and market equilibrium, supply-side dynamics, macroeconomics, money, banking and financial markets, international trade. Cleaver then turns to the issue of poverty and environmental protection.
Useful references for further reading are given at the end of each chapter, and a glossary of key terms is provided at the end of the book. Cleaver’s book is a good introduction to economics, especially for those who have to apply it to everyday life.
Il primo libro di economia
Tony Cleaver
Einaudi, 2025
A “manual” has been published to guide the reader through the mechanisms of markets and production
First understand, then act wisely. A lesson that always applies, to everyone. Including, of course, those who find themselves at the helm of a company or organisation. In other words, Luigi Einaudi’s motto – “know to decide” – always applies, even if it is often forgotten. So it is vital to equip yourself with the right tools to understand not only where you are, but also the consequences of your actions. “Il primo libro di economia” (Economics: The Basics), written by Tony Cleaver (an economist who has taught for a long time in Anglo-Saxon and now South American universities) and now published in Italy, is perfect for those who really want to understand not only the principles of economics, but also the economy in which they are operating.
The book covers the key concepts of economics and the main mechanisms that drive it, such as how different economic systems work, the successes and failures of market economies, the impact of emerging markets on the world economy, the interactions between price, supply and demand, the role of banks and the financial industry, the conditions that allow us to overcome recession and reduce poverty, and the impact of the economy on the environment. However, the subject is not organised in the same way as a university economics textbook, but in successive chapters that deal with specific topics from case to case: economic systems, neoclassical economics and the price mechanism and market equilibrium, supply-side dynamics, macroeconomics, money, banking and financial markets, international trade. Cleaver then turns to the issue of poverty and environmental protection.
Useful references for further reading are given at the end of each chapter, and a glossary of key terms is provided at the end of the book. Cleaver’s book is a good introduction to economics, especially for those who have to apply it to everyday life.
Il primo libro di economia
Tony Cleaver
Einaudi, 2025