Current issues in economic policy

The appearance of the second edition of Current Issues permits the editors to take account of the constructive comments and criticisms received from colleagues and students alike. In particular, in response to many appeals, the attempt is made to give the volume a more formal structure by distinguishing between micro and macro policy issues. Whilst the validity of such a dichotomy is open to question, particularly with regard to policy formation, such a division does preserve conformity with the conventional theoretical texts which the present work is designed to complement.

New material has been included and certain topics eliminated in keeping with the changing emphasis in UK policy discussion. While conceding that other topics might equally have been included, the principal objective of our present selection is to highlight the relationship between theory and policy in the context of the UK economy, rather than to attempt a com prehensive account of economic policy. Needless to say, we are indebted to the participating authors, and we are particularly grateful to Mrs Joan Reed of St. Andrews University and Mrs Sabina Harding of City University for their willing assistance.