This textbook builds a bridge between the economic principles which form the basis of most introductory textbooks and the issues that students see discussed incessantly in the media. Contemporary Issues in Applied Economics shows how even the most elementary economic analysis can shed new light on some of the principal economic problems which face the world today. Although aimed primarily at first year economics students, it will also be of interest to those studying related subjects which require a background knowledge of economics. The lively subject matter coupled with the non-technical nature of the approach means that the book will be of interest not only to economics students but also to non-specialists wishing to keep well informed about current issues of economic policy.