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Poll

Who's texts would give the average high school student the best basic understanding of economics?

Keynes
- 0 (0%)
Hayek
- 2 (6.7%)
Mises
- 4 (13.3%)
Friedman
- 19 (63.3%)
Rothbard
- 5 (16.7%)

Total Members Voted: 16


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Author Topic: Basic Understanding of Economics  (Read 12296 times)

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jckeyser

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Basic Understanding of Economics
« on: March 31, 2007, 08:15:10 AM »

I'd go with Milton.
The fact is, economics, the most important subject in school, has never been stressed. Private schools, it seems, would be the only ones who could even do anything about this. Government schools don't want kids learning about the effectiveness of a free market, then a new generation could put the feds out of business. The only thing I remembered about my economics class in high school was that we all had to create a business. Mine was the Drink N Go Liquor Sto'. I, like many, have had to teach myself the basic principles of that subject. Your average high schooler could give two shits.
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voodoo

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2007, 08:56:22 AM »

Voted Friedman, because he's the most readable, however, Henry Hazlett may be a good choice, too.
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felix.benner

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2007, 08:58:43 AM »

The best is still missing: Murray N. Rothbard. Read "Man, Economy, State". Available at mises.org
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jckeyser

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2007, 09:11:07 AM »

The best is still missing: Murray N. Rothbard. Read "Man, Economy, State". Available at mises.org

I have, I believe Friedman is more effective with regards to economics.
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voodoo

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2007, 09:12:13 AM »

The best is still missing: Murray N. Rothbard. Read "Man, Economy, State". Available at mises.org

This is true, however, it would be hard to get tenure as a teacher using that text.
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"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself."  ~ Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia Q.XVII, 1782. ME 2:222

jckeyser

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2007, 09:15:15 AM »

The best is still missing: Murray N. Rothbard. Read "Man, Economy, State". Available at mises.org

This is true, however, it would be hard to get tenure as a teacher using that text.

Exactly, Rothbard is likely to never show up in a high school classroom. The general public sees Friedman more as an economist than libertarian icon.
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mikehz

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2007, 10:40:34 AM »

Friedman is also a Nobel Prize winner. His book Free to Chose is highly readable by just about anyone.

I doubt many high schoolers would be willing to plow through Human Action.
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Evil Muppet

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2007, 10:57:16 AM »

apart from college economics courses (History of Economic Thought was THE most enlightening course I've ever taken...Taught by a libertarian too), I gained my understanding of economics from Economic Sophisms and The Law by Frederic Bastiat. 

http://www.amazon.com/Law-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1596059648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Economic-Fallacies-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1931541027/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1
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jckeyser

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2007, 11:23:25 AM »

apart from college economics courses (History of Economic Thought was THE most enlightening course I've ever taken...Taught by a libertarian too), I gained my understanding of economics from Economic Sophisms and The Law by Frederic Bastiat. 

http://www.amazon.com/Law-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1596059648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Economic-Fallacies-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1931541027/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1

The Law, I believe, is excellent and a quick read, there is a free PDF download somewhere. I'll post the link when I dig it up.
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freeAgent

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2007, 01:48:49 PM »

I guess it's not a big surprise that I went with Friedman.  Free to Choose is an excellent book/TV series which is very readable.  Behind him I would go with Hayek, though Hayek was more philosophical than analytical.
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jckeyser

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2007, 02:47:40 PM »

I guess it's not a big surprise that I went with Friedman.  Free to Choose is an excellent book/TV series which is very readable.  Behind him I would go with Hayek, though Hayek was more philosophical than analytical.

Free to Choose, along with Captalism:The Unknown Ideal are the two books I got my initial knowledge of economics from. Hayek wanted a little too much government intervention for my liking, but his economic theories warrant a look.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2007, 05:02:36 PM by jckeyser »
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jckeyser

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #11 on: March 31, 2007, 03:18:11 PM »

apart from college economics courses (History of Economic Thought was THE most enlightening course I've ever taken...Taught by a libertarian too), I gained my understanding of economics from Economic Sophisms and The Law by Frederic Bastiat. 

http://www.amazon.com/Law-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1596059648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Economic-Fallacies-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1931541027/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-1971120-7791269?ie=UTF8&qid=1175352763&sr=8-1

Not really a download, but here's the entire text.
http://www.constitution.org/law/bastiat.htm
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YixilTesiphon

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2007, 03:58:36 PM »

Friedman all the way. I have "Free to Choose" on my desk.
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lordmetroid

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2007, 06:03:30 PM »

I voted freidman, although Mises and Rothbard are very skilled economists they don't have that same touch of explanation with ease what it is all about besides the series "Free to Choose" motion pictures series does wonders I think to demonstrate it even better for the people not so keen on reading.
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Brandon

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Re: Basic Understanding of Economics
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2007, 06:23:34 PM »

Hayek and Rothbard are great if you want students to garner some perspective on libertarianism, but I wouldn't use them in attempting to help high school students understand basic economics. I plan on utilizing Hayek quite a bit in my history class when I'm a teacher. Hayek's essay on History and Politics does an excellent job of explaining why is history practical to modern life. 

Hayek's The Road to Serfdom might be effective, but it also might be too hard too read for high schoolers.

I think you'd have the best luck with Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2007, 06:30:31 PM by Brandon »
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