Why does unemployment exist and how can it be fought? Is the income gap growing? What is the most efficient instrument against pollution? Why can´t recessions be permanently avoided? These and many other questions are covered in this work. All of the major parts of economic policy, beginning with the magical hexagon, are explained academically sound and close to practice. The book emphasises on the easy accessibility to and comprehensibility of the issues. Diagrams sum up the content, up to date examples and a clear language ease the access to the topic. Each chapter is provided with questions and a summary in form of a chart.

Prof. Beeker teaches economics and economic policy at the Rheinische Fachhochschule in Cologne.