Macroeconomics is concerned with the economy as a whole. In macroeconomics, we develop an overall view of the economic system and we study total (or aggregate) economic behaviour. The emphasis is on topics such as total production, income and expenditure, economic growth, aggregate unemployment, the general price level, inflation and the balance of payments. Macroeconomics is therefore the world of totals.

This second edition of Understanding macroeconomics is a comprehensive revision and restructuring of the first edition, but still against a contemporary South African background. The major changes include the following: the chapter on money has been expanded and moved forward, and the material on the Keynesian model has been consolidated in two separate chapters, instead of being spread over different chapters . There is also a greater emphasis on the role of monetary and fiscal policy. New topics include the role of the ratings agencies and the notion of "radical economic transformation".

As in the first edition, the easy style and practical examples make the content extremely accessible. A wealth of relevant information about the South African economy is also provided. A companion to this book, Understanding microeconomics, is also available.

The South African financial markets comprise a range of activities, participants and instruments. Conceptually, they are concerned with two principal sets of activities: the transfer and trading of money or other financial claims, and the transfer and trading of risk. Understanding South African financial markets provides a framework for classifying and analysing these markets within the context of a modern capitalist system. This title gives an overview of the operation of various institutions in the South African financial system, as well as of the different financial markets in the South African economy and the instruments traded in those markets. Topics covered include the role of the South African Reserve Bank, technical features associated with the money market, and corporate governance and risk management. Each chapter opens with study objectives and jargon is explained in lay terms. Relevant international and local market practices and norms are applied.