Michael Perelman wrote: > I would like to renew my call for a search for the least objectionable > principles text. > If the decision is entirely up to you, I'd suggest you give close consideration to: Samuel Bowles and Richard Edwards _Understanding Capitalism_2nd ed., HarperCollins College Publishers, 1993 Let's face it: *all* of the standard economics texts are pathetic. Some like Heilbroner and Thurow have good points (e.g. economic history, history of thought), but *all* are anti-labor and worse. Bowles and Edwards, IMO, has its weak points as well -- but it is a progressive text that emphasizes class, race, and gender. Moreover, it is clearly pro-labor, has good sections on economic history, has good data on income distribution and concentration, and is well-written and laid-out as a text (complete with marginal definitions and a "Glossary"). While I am not a great fan of the "social structure of accumulation" school, the above merits in my view clearly outweigh possible disadvantages. I have used the first edition in the past. I think I'll give it another try next time I have an opportunity to do so. Jerry
