The objectives of Economic Issues are to create student interest in the study of economics and to provide a framework of basic analytical tools useful in the analysis of current problems. To reach these objectives, the authors first introduce and discuss an issue. They then develop the economic concepts and principles germane to the issue and apply these principles to the issue in order to discover if the principles can help resolve the issue. The arrangement of the issues in the book is planned to provide a logical development of basis economic concepts and to reinforce understanding of these concepts through repeated use and application.