Ulrich van Suntum, geb. am 6.1.1954 in Hamm, ist ein deutscher Volkswirt. Von 1987-88 war van Suntum Generalsekretär des Sachverständigenrats zur Begutachtung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung (Rat der Wirtschaftsweisen). Er entwickelte und berechnet regelmäßig die konjunkturellen Frühindikatoren des Handelsblatts. Van Suntum lehrt seit 1995 an der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster. Er ist Botschafter der vom Arbeitgeberverband Gesamtmetall finanzierten Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft. Gemeinsam mit Frau und drei Kindern lebt er in Nordkirchen.

This instructive and entertaining book explains the world of economics in simple terms. Starting with the questions put forward by the first economists, it proceeds to the core of today's economic theory and provides the reader with a straightforward introduction to what economists discovered about wealth, unemployment, growth, and inflation. The original German version has been a great success, as if offers the reader a historical perspective of the main economic problems the world has to deal with today, complemented by simple graphics, comprehensive examples, numerous anecdotes, and historical illustrations.

People and Markets (Microeconomics).- Crises of Market Economies (Macroeconomics).- Trade and Changes in the World Economy (Foreign Trade).- The State and Social Matters (Public Finance).

This book explains the world of economics in simple terms. Starting with the questions put forward by the first economists it proceeds to the core of today`s economic theory and provides the reader with a straightforward introduction to what economists discovered about wealth, unemployment, growth, and inflation. The author is Professor of Economics at the University of Münster in Germany, where the original version has been a great success. Renouncing the use of any formal methods, he offers the reader a historical perspective of the main economic problems the world has to deal with today. The inclusion of many anecdotes as well as simple figures and interesting photos makes the reading of this book a source of great pleasure and benefit. TOC:People and Markets (Microeconomics).- Crises of Market Economies (Macroeconomics).- Trade and Changes in the World Economy (Foreign Trade).- The State and Social Matters (Public Finance).