With wit and verve, Economic Literacy explains the logic, language, and worldview of economic theory and engagingly describes the organization and performance of the U.S. economy. Its combination of theory and description is essential for understanding debates about current affairs, penetrating the literature of economics, and reflecting on the usefulness and limits of economic analysis. Updated throughout, the second edition includes new discussions of social security, tax reform, surging petroleum prices, and the economic effects of the Iraq war and other international issues.