Fall 2011 Fall 2011

A Wider Web: More Economics Resources on the Internet A Wider Web: More Economics Resources on the Internet

In 2008, after almost 35 years in print, we reluctantly suspended publication of The Ledger. Postage and production costs were on the rise, and the expense was becoming harder to justify. But we're back, and we've moved to an all-electronic format with two online issues per year: Fall and Spring.

This issue revisits a topic we first covered in 2001: Economic and financial education resources on the web. Much has changed since then. In those days blogs were cutting edge, Facebook was still three years in the future, and fewer people used "google" as a verb. As for Twitter … Be honest! If someone had pitched the concept to you in 2001, you probably would have laughed.

Resources in the Fall 2011 Issue

Blogs

  • Aplia Econ Blog—News for Econ Students
    “A place to explore current events that relate to your econ classes”
    Be sure to check out the extensive archive of previous posts. The posts are highly readable, and each includes discussion questions.
  • The Baseline Scenario—What happened to the global economy and what we can do about it
    Be sure to check out the extensive list of links to other blogs and resources.
  • Café Hayek—Where Orders Emerge
    Lively commentary on economics and politics, written by Don Boudreaux and Russ Roberts of George Mason University
    Be sure to check out the EconTalk Podcast link.
  • Cheap Talk
    “A blog about economics, politics, and the random interests of forty-something professors”
    Be sure to check out the links to Jeff’s Intermediate Micro Course and Sandeep’s “Conflict and Cooperation” Course.
  • economicprincipals
    An independent weekly published by David Warsh
    Be sure to check out the extensive list of links to economic journalists.
  • Economix
    “Explaining the Science of Everyday Life”
    Well-written and insightful blog posts on the New York Times web site
    Be sure to check out any of the posts. They are all worth reading, and they represent diverse viewpoints.
  • Freakonomics
    “The Hidden Side of Everything”
    Created by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, whose posts live up to the site’s tagline
    Be sure to check out the podcasts and Marketplace™ segments under the Radio button.
  • Grasping Reality with Both Hands
    “Fair, Balanced, and Reality-Based: The Semi-Daily Journal of Economist Brad DeLong”
    Be sure to check out the Among His Best Works.
  • FRB Atlanta Research Department’s macroblog:
    “The Atlanta Fed’s macroblog provides commentary on economic topics including monetary policy, macroeconomic developments, financial issues and Southeast regional trends.”
    Be sure to check out the Archives.
  • Greg Mankiw’s Blog
    “Random Observations for Students of Economics”
    Be sure to check out Advice for Students, Principles of Economics, and A Few Timeless Posts.
  • Knowledge @ Wharton High School — Teachers’ Room
    Created by the people at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business
    Be sure to check out all the various buttons: Entrepreneurs & Leaders, Environment, Fashion, Food & More, Life After High School, Money & You, Social Impact, Sports & Entertainment, and Tech Buzz.
  • Marginal Thoughts
    Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
    Be sure to check out the posts, which are lucid and informative.
  • MV = PQ: A Resource for Economic Educators
    “Ideas and discussions about economics and financial literacy issues”
    Be sure to check out the daily posts, which are concise, informative, and sometimes “quirky” in the best sense of the word.
  • New Economist
    New economic research, data, events and analysis from a London-based economist
    Be sure to check out the extensive listing of Economist Weblogs and Economics Resources.
  • PLANET money
    “A fun, safe, exciting, accessible place for people to explore the global economy and what it’s doing to them”
    Be sure to check out the blog posts and twice-weekly podcasts, all of which are invariably interesting and insightful.
  • Robert Reich
    Be sure to check out the blog posts, which are always lucid and concise.
  • Tim Harford: The Undercover Economist
    Be sure to check out the engaging articles and Tim’s Tweets.
  • VoluntaryExchange
    A blog, a bulletin board, a retro form of social media … Voluntary Exchange is a blend of all three.
    Be sure to check out the whole thing. It’s from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston!
  • The Wandering Economist
    “Because ‘It’s the Economy, Stupid!’ isn’t much of an answer.”
    Be sure to check out the posts, which offer a global perspective on banking, finance, and the economy.

Coins, Currency, and Past Value

Economic Data

Economic History

Economic Literacy / Financial Literacy / Consumer Education

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Games/Simulations and Just Plain Fun

Focus on the Fed

Portals and Other Resources