CrunchyGirl Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Let's just say Stan's version of economics (LoF) doesn't conform well with our values. Alternatives for a good economics book? Something without a strong conservative or libertarian bent? Upper elementary or middle school reading level. My HUGE Fred fan needs a more appropriate text. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I've been gathering economics texts online, but I haven't used any... The Council For Economic Education has a ton of different text books. The "Focus on Economics: World History" looks at history through an economics lens and looks interesting. There are all sorts of other texts, too. Emily 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDoe Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Something without a strong conservative or libertarian bent? Go directly to the sources: Keynes: The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_General_Theory_of_Employment,_Interest_and_Money Marx: Das Kapital (or an English translation of same) No complicated math in either, in fact no math at all, if I recall correctly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I was thinking about doing an economics unit and considered using : DK The Economics book and Economics: a self teaching guide (Steve Slavin) Or Walch Understanding our economy? And if you don't mind your economics sliding into sociology, Freakonomics is very readable and fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I've had my eye on this book for that age group, but I haven't actually read the whole thing: http://www.amazon.com/Economix-Economy-Works-Doesnt-Pictures/dp/0810988399 But my actual favorite is this one - it would certainly be a counterpoint to Stan! What's The Economy For, Anyway? http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Economy-Anyway-Pursuing-Happiness/dp/1608195155/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429103592&sr=1-1&keywords=what+is+the+economy+for+anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor_dad Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Before any primary sources, I like Heilbroner's "Worldly Philosophers". I think it is a great non-quantitative intellectual history of the field. I see it as a high school level resource... so maybe for middle schoolers but probably a bit advanced for upper elementary... Hard to say... I love this book... I would use it at the same time I used Bryson's "Short History of Everything" for science... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 DK books in general are very mainstream. I've only browsed through it, but it's definitely "descriptive" not "prescriptive". It has two page spreads on each topic and was readable and colorful and accessible. That said, it's not a textbook, so don't expect worksheets or activities or anything like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDoe Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I definitely want a neutral text that merely describes features of different economic systems... I really want to avoid any free-market - trying to think of a less emotive word than propaganda - assumptions. Hmm you are just as likely to find something neutral in (macro-) economics as you are likely to find some neutral textbook regarding the existence of god, or on which god is the true god(s). Though given that you are clear about what you do NOT want I suggest you either look for Keynsian or Marxian economics which are the the main "live" schools without any "free market propaganda". (Marxian economics are considered dead, or very close to dead though). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_economic_thought You MAY wish to start with microeconomics first though as there is very little disagreement in that area, albeit much about free markets. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor_dad Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 You MAY wish to start with microeconomics first though as there is very little disagreement in that area, albeit much about free markets. I think the role of reguation and various externalities is just a controversial as anything in macroecomics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDoe Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I think the role of reguation and various externalities is just a controversial as anything in macroecomics. Yes, the question of externalities, if they exist, and the use of regulation to "solve the problem" is indeed controversial. Maybe I should have said that there is fewer areas of controversy in microeconomics than in macroeconomics where the entire field is controversial to some extent. Let's just say Stan's version of economics (LoF) doesn't conform well with our values. What is LoF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 What is LoF? Well, that explains the completely off the wall suggestions above. LOF Economics is actually a pre-algebra book that uses econ based examples. There's also a biology version. It's meant for grades 5-7 more or less. There is no way on earth that you could go from Fred to Keynes (Marx is, indeed, dead). The problem with Fred is that it's not really an econ book, the author just throws out his views without explaining them in depth so you don't get the full picture or an explanation of why sensible people would disagree. I think Raptor Dad's suggestion of The Worldly Philosophers is a very good choice to explore economics in more depth and with more nuance than Fred without getting bogged down in number crunching or too much detail for a middle schooler. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDoe Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 It's meant for grades 5-7 more or less. There is no way on earth that you could go from Fred to Keynes (Marx is, indeed, dead). The problem with Fred is that it's not really an econ book, the author just throws out his views without explaining them in depth so you don't get the full picture or an explanation of why sensible people would disagree. Thanks, I thought we were looking at high school students, not middle school. Suggestions of going to Keynes and/or Marx (which may be academically dead, but is still walking amongst us on earth as a political zombie) would not be appropriate, except special cases, for middle school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyGirl Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Thanks everyone. It's really just that he's become interested in Econ after reading Fred and I need to find something more appropriate (at least minus the crazy). I think the DK book should work. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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