This text is intended for use in a one-semester introductory course in the principles of economics. The wide diversities of background and interest of the students in many of such courses make necessary the emphasis of the fundamental aims and menthods of economic analysis, and the fact that many of the students do not go on to the study of more advanced courses in the field makes it desirable to relate the development of economic analysis to some of the major questions of public policy upon which they, as citizen, should hold reasoned rather than emotional opinions ...