Here Partha Dasgupta, an internationally recognized autho r ity in economics, presents readers with a solid introduction to its basic concepts, including efficiency, equity, sustainability, dynamic equilibrium, property rights, markets, a nd public goods. Throughout, he highlights the relevance
of economics to everyday life, providing a very human explo r ation of a technical subject. Dasgupta covers enduring issues such as population growth, the environment, a nd poverty. Fo r example, he explo r es how the wo r ld's looming population problems affect us at the local, national, a nd international
level.

Economics has the capacity to offer us deep insights into some of the most fo r midable problems of life. Here, Dasgupta goes beyond the basics to show it's innate effects on our histo r y, culture, a nd lifestyles.

About the Series: Combining autho r ity with wit, accessibility, a nd style, Very Sho r t Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts fo r the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contempo r ary thinking about the central problems a nd issues in hundreds
of key topics, fr om philosophy to Freud, quantum theo r y to Islam.