21st Century Economy: A Beginner's Guide Book

Introduction ix

Maps xiii

1 What Is the Fusion Economy? 3

2 What Is Macroeconomics? 12

3 Central Banks and Global Crises-Who Really Controls the Global Economy? 20

4 Free Trade or Isolationism-How Can Trade Wars Be Avoided in the 21st Century? 43

5 Money, Money, Money-How Do Currencies Work in the New Global Economy? 63

6 Rage Against the Machine-Why the Big Fuss over Globalization? 78

7 What Is the Virtual Economy? 87

8 Getting Our Share-How Do We Invest in the New Global Economy? 99

9 Winners and Losers-How Do We Compare Investments in the 21st-Century Economy? 126

10 Private Equity and Public Good-Who Really Controls the Companies of the World? 132

11 Corporate Governance and Corporate Greed-How Are Businesses Managed in the 21st-Century Economy? 143

12 Hedge Funds and Derivative Traders-The Wild Cards of the New Global Economy? 154

13 Income Gaps and Development-What Can Be Done to Eliminate Poverty in the 21st Century? 166

14 Drugs, Slavery, and Shady Deals-The Illegal Economy of the 21st Century 181

15 What Is the Best Economic System for the 21st Century? 198

16 Outsourcing and Immigration-How Have Demographics Transformed the World Economy? 205

17 What Is the Green Economy? 214

18 Health, Development, and Global Pandemics-How Has Public Health Become a Major Factor in the Global Economy? 229

Epilogue 239

Glossary 243