Economics U$A
Encyclopedia
Economics U$A is a telecourse series covering the subjects of microeconomics
and macroeconomics
. The series was produced by the Educational Film Center in Annandale, Virginia
, with funding from the Annenberg
-CPB
Project (now Annenberg Media) and broadcast on PBS
and educational stations.
The original series debuted in 1985; however, there have been several updates since that time.
The series was hosted by David Schoumacher
, with the help of economic analysts Richard T. Gill and Nariman Behravesh
(Chief Economist and Executive Vice President, Global Insight
). The series consist largely of interviews of government officials, economic analysts, and people who have experienced important events for the economy of the United States
.
Herbert Stein
, an economic advisor for the Nixon
administration, is one of the many guests interviewed in the series.
Microeconomics
Microeconomics is a branch of economics that studies the behavior of how the individual modern household and firms make decisions to allocate limited resources. Typically, it applies to markets where goods or services are being bought and sold...
and macroeconomics
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics is a branch of economics dealing with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of the whole economy. This includes a national, regional, or global economy...
. The series was produced by the Educational Film Center in Annandale, Virginia
Annandale, Virginia
Annandale is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 41,008 at the 2010 census, down from 54,994 in 2000 due to the splitting off of the western part of it to form Wakefield and Woodburn CDP's.-Geography:...
, with funding from the Annenberg
Annenberg
-People:* Moses Annenberg* Walter Annenberg, former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, billionaire publishing magnate, and philanthropist* Leonore Annenberg, former U.S...
-CPB
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
Project (now Annenberg Media) and broadcast on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
and educational stations.
The original series debuted in 1985; however, there have been several updates since that time.
The series was hosted by David Schoumacher
David Schoumacher
David Schoumacher was a newspaper and television journalist. He was also a television anchor in Washington D.C. from the 1950s until he retired...
, with the help of economic analysts Richard T. Gill and Nariman Behravesh
Nariman Behravesh
Dr. Nariman Behravesh is an American economist, and the Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Global Insight.Behravesh holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.Sc...
(Chief Economist and Executive Vice President, Global Insight
Global Insight
Global Insight is the world's largest economics organization, serving over 3,800 clients in industry, finance and government worldwide, with revenues of over $95 million and employing more than 600 economists and other staff in 23 offices in 13 countries...
). The series consist largely of interviews of government officials, economic analysts, and people who have experienced important events for the economy of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Herbert Stein
Herbert Stein
Herbert Stein was a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and was on the board of contributors of The Wall Street Journal. He was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Nixon and President Ford. From 1974 until 1984, he was the A...
, an economic advisor for the Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
administration, is one of the many guests interviewed in the series.
Episode guide
- Episode 1 - Resources and Scarcity: What Is Economics All About?
- Wilderness preservation and WWII productivity show how society allocates and transforms resources.
- Episode 2 - Markets and Prices: Do They Meet Our Needs?
- Developer William J. Levitt's low-cost housing and Reggie Jackson's contract help explain the powerful forces of supply and demand.
- Episode 3 - U.S. Economic Growth: What Is the Gross National Product?
- This episode documents the GNP's greatest achievements and failures since its introduction in the 1930s.
- Guests:
- Robert R. NathanRobert R. NathanRobert R. Nathan was a noted American economist who was heavily involved in US industrial mobilization during World War II. Prior to the war he had worked with the Commerce Department but was appointed chair of the War Production Board's planning committee in 1942. After the war he started a...
, War Production Broad, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Alfred E. KahnAlfred E. KahnAlfred Edward Kahn was an American professor, an expert in regulation and deregulation, and an important influence in the deregulation of the airline and energy industries...
, EconomistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy... - John KendrickJohn KendrickJohn Kendrick may refer to:* John Kendrick , English cloth merchant* John Kendrick , American sea captain* John Allen Kendrick , American criminal and bank robber* John B...
, EconomistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityThe George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States... - Gaylord NelsonGaylord NelsonGaylord Anton Nelson was an American politician from Wisconsin who served as a United States Senator and governor. A Democrat, he was the principal founder of Earth Day.-Public service and leadership:...
, Counselor, The Wilderness SocietyThe Wilderness Society (United States)The Wilderness Society is an American organization that is dedicated to protecting America's wilderness. It was formed in 1935 and currently has over 300,000 members and supporters.-Founding:The society was incorporated on January 21, 1935...
- Robert R. Nathan
- Episode 4 - Booms and Busts: What Causes the Business Cycle?
- America's roller-coaster economy is examined in light of the economic theories of Marx, Schumpeter, Keynes, and Say.
- Episode 5 - John Maynard Keynes: What Did We learn from the Great Depression?
- Episode 6 - Fiscal Policy: Can We Control the Economy?
- Episode 7 - Inflation: How Did the Spiral Begin?
- Segments:
- Inflation in the 1960s - What caused that spiral and how did inflation get out of control?
- Guests:
- Walter HellerWalter HellerWalter Wolfgang Heller was a leading American economist of the 1960s, and an influential advisor to President John F. Kennedy as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, 1961-64....
, Former Chairman, Council of Economic Advisors - James DuesenberryJames DuesenberryJames Stemble Duesenberry was an American economist. He made a significant contribution to the Keynesian analysis of income and employment with his 1949 doctoral thesis Income, Saving and the Theory of Consumer Behavior...
, Former Member, Council of Economic Advisors
- Walter Heller
- Segments:
- Episode 8 - The Banking System: Why Must It Be Protected?
- The S&L crisis is reviewed with a discussion of deposit insurance and the accountability of financial institutions. This program was revised in 1992.
- Episode 9 - The Federal Reserve: Does Money Matter?
- Episode 10 - Stagflation: Why Couldn't We Beat It?
- Episode 11 - Productivity: Can We Get More For Less?
- Guests:
- Arthur LafferArthur LafferArthur Betz Laffer is an American economist who first gained prominence during the Reagan administration as a member of Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board . Laffer is best known for the Laffer curve, an illustration of the theory that there exists some tax rate between 0% and 100% that will...
, Economist
- Arthur Laffer
- Guests:
- Episode 12 - Federal Deficits: Can We Live With Them?
- Episode 13 - Monetary Policy: How Well Does It Work?
- Episode 14 - Stabilization Policy: Are We Still In Control?
- Episode 15 - The Firm: How Can We Keep Costs Down?
- This program looks at the economic factors behind Coke's secret formula change, Studebaker's demise, and The Asbury Park Press.
- Episode 16 - Supply and Demand: What Sets the Price?
- Episode 17 - Perfect Competition & Inelastic Demand: Can the Farmer Make a Profit?
- This program presents the inside story of American farming's crises from the 1920s to the present.
- Episode 18 - Economics Efficiency: What Price Controls?
- Rent control in New York City explains the effect of wage and price controls in a free market economy.
- Episode 19 - Monopoly: Who's In Control?
- Episode 20 - Oligopoly: Whatever Happened to Price Competition?
- Episode 21 - Pollution: How Much Is a Clean Environment Worth?
- The private and social costs of pollution and the international response to global warming are explored.
- Episode 22 - Labor & Management: How do They Come to Terms?
- Episode 23 - Profits and Interest: Where Is the Best Return?
- Episode 24 - Reducing Poverty: What Have We Done?
- Episode 25 - Economic Growth: Can We Keep Up the Pace?
- Episode 26 - Public Goods and Responsibilities: How Far Should We Go?
- Episode 27 - International Trade: For Whose Benefit?
- Guests:
- Robert Crandell, economist, Brookings InstitutionBrookings InstitutionThe Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and...
- Rep. John DingellJohn DingellJohn David Dingell, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1955 . He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, DDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... - Sen. William BrockBill BrockWilliam Emerson "Bill" Brock III is a former Republican United States senator from Tennessee, having served from 1971 to 1977. He is the grandson of William Emerson Brock I, who was a Democratic U.S. senator from Tennessee from 1929 to 1931.-Early life and career:Brock was a native of Chattanooga,...
, RRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Special Trade Representative - Kay Jennings, Toyota dealer
- Anthony Solomon, Deputy Treasury Secretary, CarterJimmy CarterJames Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
administration - Patricia Fernandez Kelly
- Steve Knaebel, President, Cummins Engine-Mexico
- Robert Crandell, economist, Brookings Institution
- Guests:
- Episode 28 - Exchange Rates: What in the World Is a Dollar Worth?
- Guests:
- Dr. Edward Bernstein, former Principal Economist, U.S. Treasury Department
- Dr. Joan Spero, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, American ExpressAmerican ExpressAmerican Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
- Dr. Marina von Neumann WhitmanMarina von Neumann WhitmanMarina von Neumann Whitman is Professor of Business Administration and Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business as well as The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. She is also a member of the board of directors at the Peterson Institute.Professor Whitman was...
, former economic advisor to PresidentPresident of the United StatesThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Richard M. Nixon - Martin FeldsteinMartin FeldsteinMartin Stuart "Marty" Feldstein is an economist. He is currently the George F. Baker Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and the president emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research . He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the NBER from 1978 through 2008...
, George F. Baker Professor of Economics, Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country... - Michael Mussa
- Guests: