Economics coverage reflects the challenge that specific topics and concepts pose for average students. For instance, the theory of the firm and macroeconomic output and price-level determination are carefully treated. Simplicity correlates with comprehensiveness, not brevity.

Our experience suggests it is desirable to couple analysis with policy. Generally we use a three-step development of analytical tools: (1) verbal descriptions and illustrations; (2) numerical examples, and (3) graphical presentation based on the numerical illustrations.

All these considerations led us to organize the book into nine parts: Part 1: An Introduction to Economics and the Economy; Part 2: National Income, Employment, and Fiscal Policy; Part 3: Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy; Part 4: Long-Run Perspectives and Macroeconomic Debates; Part 5: Microeconomics of Product Markets; Part 6: Microeconomics of Resource Markets; Part 7: Microeconomics of Government; Part 8: Microeconomic Issues and Policy; and Part 9: International Economics and the World Economy.

Although instructors generally agree as to the content of principles of economics course, they often differ as to how to arrange the material. Economics provides considerable organizational flexibility. Previous users tell us they often substantially rearrange chapters with little sacrifice of continuity.

We chose to move from macro- to microeconomics, but the introductory material of Part 1 can be followed immediately by the micro of Parts 5 and 6. Similarly, the AD-AS model appears after two chapters on aggregate expenditures analysis. Those who want to rely exclusively on AD-AS can omit those two chapters, supplementing the AD analysis with discussion of investment demand and the multiplier implicit within shifts of the AD curve.

Some instructors will prefer to intersperse the microeconomics of Parts 5 through 7 with the problems chapters of Part 8. Chapter 33 on agriculture may follow Chapter 23 on pure competition; Chapter 32 on antitrust and regulation may follow Chapters 24 to 26 on imperfect competition models and technological advance. Chapter 35 on labor market issues (unions, discrimination, and immigration) may follow Chapter 28 on wages; and Chapter 34 on income inequality may follow Chapters 28 and 29 on distributive shares of national income.

Instructors who teach the typical two-semester course and feel comfortable with the book's organization will find that, by putting Parts 1 to 4 in the first semester and Parts 5 through 8 in the second, the material is divided logically between the two semesters. For those instructors who choose to emphasize international economics, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 8 may be treated the first semester and Parts 4 through 8 the second.