[habs10]

Sup guys, I've just completed my GCSEs and next year I'm going to be taking Maths, FM, Econ, Phys and Politics. However, I know nothing about politics or economics, or what it entails. Can anyone help me get started? I've read a few economist magazines, but I can never get my head around them :/

[Aurorae]

It's slightly worrying that you've applied for subjects that you don't know about. How do you know if Politics or Economics will be interesting or useful for you?

The Economist magazines aren't really appropriate for learning Economics (despite the name), and serve more to argue specific viewpoints on current news and affairs than anything else.

If you want an explanation of Economics, try this thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=2064659

As for Politics, Sarcastic Pratchett Fan's guide to Politics is the most encompassing that I've found: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=646778

Hope that helps!

[habs10]

(Original post by Aurorae)
It's slightly worrying that you've applied for subjects that you don't know about. How do you know if Politics or Economics will be interesting or useful for you?

The Economist magazines aren't really appropriate for learning Economics (despite the name), and serve more to argue specific viewpoints on current news and affairs than anything else.

If you want an explanation of Economics, try this thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=2064659

As for Politics, Sarcastic Pratchett Fan's guide to Politics is the most encompassing that I've found: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=646778

Hope that helps!

ok thanks, but it's because I guess I take in interest in current affairs

[Aurorae]

(Original post by HASH1SICKUNT)
ok thanks, but it's because I guess I take in interest in current affairs

Ah I see. In which case, you do have an idea of what politics and economics are in a nutshell. xD

[habs10]

(Original post by Aurorae)
It's slightly worrying that you've applied for subjects that you don't know about. How do you know if Politics or Economics will be interesting or useful for you?

The Economist magazines aren't really appropriate for learning Economics (despite the name), and serve more to argue specific viewpoints on current news and affairs than anything else.

If you want an explanation of Economics, try this thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=2064659

As for Politics, Sarcastic Pratchett Fan's guide to Politics is the most encompassing that I've found: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=646778

Hope that helps!

for economics, what sort of books/magazines would you recommend?

[Aurorae]

(Original post by HASH1SICKUNT)
for economics, what sort of books/magazines would you recommend?

For what precisely?

It makes a good habit to read the news daily for starters, and that is really up to your political stance (e.g. I personally detest the Daily Mail, but others may find it useful for learning current affairs, even if I find their quality sub-par ). As for books, then it would again depend on what you want it for. You've got academic textbooks by professors like Gregory Mankiw that teaches economic theory as well as some books that others regard as economic bibles (such as the ones by Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes), while you also have specific books that will specialise more in a certain area (e.g. The stock market)...it all depends on what you want to read about and what for.

The content of Economics at A-Level will vary but the theory is taught to you. Perhaps go on an exam board's website and find out what your course will entail (found in their specification and sometimes the teacher guidelines which teachers will generally teach around). That way, you can ensure you're not forking out any more money than you need to.

[tammie94]

(Original post by HASH1SICKUNT)
Sup guys, I've just completed my GCSEs and next year I'm going to be taking Maths, FM, Econ, Phys and Politics. However, I know nothing about politics or economics, or what it entails. Can anyone help me get started? I've read a few economist magazines, but I can never get my head around them :/

I can only give you advice on physics as I haven't done any of the other subjects. So with physics you need to develop your problem solving skills more than anything else. There isn't really that much to memorize but some of the questions can be a little tricky. If you find something hard, whatever you do, do not give up and ask your teacher. Try to figure it out yourself, explore every possiblilty you can, even if it takes you hours. But once you've cracked it if you ever get a question like that again you'll instantly know what to do. Trust me. Anyway good luck!

[.ACS.]

(Original post by HASH1SICKUNT)
for economics, what sort of books/magazines would you recommend?

Well, if you're looking for a broad introduction to applied economics, then I guess The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford is a good start. See if your local library has a copy. Otherwise, The Armchair Economist by Steven Landsburg is another good one. (Personally I prefer The Armchair Economist. I think it's a much better book.)

You say you've read a few copies of The Economist and can't quite get your head around it. How so? What exactly do you mean?

I guess the best place, really, is to start by reading a quality newspaper on a daily basis. Personally, I prefer The Times or The FT. Actually, for economic analysis I prefer The FT; I like The Times for its political coverage and the columnists. Otherwise, if you're looking for a magazine, then I think Bloomberg BusinessWeek is the best thing available. ( http://www.businessweek.com/ )

My gripe with The Economist magazine is that it's far too focused on politics and not enough economics. Even it's coverage of the Euro crisis has been superficial in economic analysis and has focused on the political impact for the European Union or international diplomatic relations. It's latest piece on high-frequency trading is a nonsense, and it's analysis of the American job market is simply a historic comparison as opposed to anything real.

Hope that helps.

[Aurorae]

(Original post by .ACS.)
My gripe with The Economist magazine is that it's far too focused on politics and not enough economics. Even it's coverage of the Euro crisis has been superficial in economic analysis and has focused on the political impact for the European Union or international diplomatic relations. It's latest piece on high-frequency trading is a nonsense, and it's analysis of the American job market is simply a historic comparison as opposed to anything real.

Hope that helps.

Agreed. The High Frequency Trading article demonstrated quite a lot of ignorance with regards to financial consequences while ended up seeming like a step by step guide to getting a few more votes from the public.

Out of interest ACS, do you still subscribe to it despite its highly political focus? For me, it's more for reading a different perspective on current affairs if nothing much else.

[.ACS.]

(Original post by Aurorae)
Out of interest ACS, do you still subscribe to it despite its highly political focus? For me, it's more for reading a different perspective on current affairs if nothing much else.

No, I don't any more. I just feel the focus is too political, and even then, I sometimes feel the political analysis is far too shallow to be worth reading. After I stopped subscribing, I would still log onto their website on a semi-regular basis, but I've stopped even that now.

I just feel there are better publications available for economic/political analysis.