The authors take a rigorous, theoretical approach that is nonetheless easy to follow and logical. It is full of practical examples and in-chapter exercises that allow students to check their understanding of the important concepts as they work through the chapter. Background Briefing and Thinking as an Economist vignettes contextualise economic theory in the 'real world', and current data presents students with a snapshot of the economy as it is right now. This edition has been streamlined in response to market feedback: the chapters on competitive advantage and the open economy have been merged into a single chapter, and the chapter that covers all the important elements of introductory macroeconomics is now online. Coverage of the Global Financial Crisis has also been integrated throughout this edition. This text is for first-year students of economics or those taking it as a first subject in macroeconomics.