Overview: The unemployment rate is one of the most important economic measurements used to determine the health of an economy. This lesson explains how it's calculated and why all unemployment is not the same.
Overview: Just like individual markets have supply and demand, there is also supply and demand for an entire country. This concept explains the similarities and differences.
Overview: Both a critically important institution and a complete mystery to many people, the Federal Reserve System is in charge of the U.S. money supply. Click here to learn how the organization operates.
Overview: How do you make sure the U.S. has enough money flowing to make transactions, but not too much so that there's not inflation? This lesson explains.
Overview: Why does the United States import so many clothes and shoes? Why do some countries seem to be associated with one product, like oil, so much? The answers to these questions, and more, can be found in this lesson.
Overview: Most economists agree that trade is good and free trade is even better. If that's the case, why - and how - do almost all nations try to limit it? This lesson explains.
Overview: It's no secret that trade is beneficial. Some nations like to put that in writing and make agreements with each other called trade blocs. Learn more here.
Overview: Pesos, dollars, and rupees - oh my! With so many different currencies in the world, buying and selling goods and services across borders can get complicated. This lesson explains how trading currencies works.
Overview: In this lesson you will learn how currencies are really no different than most goods and services when it comes to how they respond to supply and demand.
Overview: Which college should you attend? Should you even attend college? Should you get a new car? Should you get married? A rational decision-making model can help answer questions like this and millions more.