The ability to connect theoretical macroeconomics to the analysis of the economic and political performance of a given country is an essential skill for global investors. In Country Analysis: Understanding Economic and Political Performance, David M. Currie takes a unique analytical approach to the subject, clearly demonstrating the relationship between theory and application in investing practices. This valuable book shows how to interpret country performance and provides the practising investor with sufficient background on economic principles to be able to understand and interpret country summaries that appear in business periodicals and other media. It covers key topics such as the Washington Consensus and the three major categories of economic decisions - fiscal policy, monetary policy and trade policy. It includes an important chapter on the political aspect of government performance, to give the reader an understanding of economic decisions in their true context. Country Analysis explains the reasoning behind the criteria used in evaluating country risk and economic performance, without the need for a sophisticated understanding of economics or mathematics. Each chapter includes a series of text boxes that include real-life examples from business periodicals to reinforce what is discussed and enable readers to practice identifying and interpreting relevant information. Practitioners making investment decisions in global markets, as well as students in MBA and other courses, will find this immensely practical book a valuable aid to critical decision making.
This is a welcome book. Rather than one more abstract treatise on economic theory, this volume clearly shows how to apply theory in order to evaluate the performance of a country. Country Analysis is a practical contribution to an exceedingly important area of understanding. Although intended for a U.S. audience, it is global in orientation, supplemented with political and cultural aspects of economic decisions. It is deserving of wide readership - Professor Paul W. Beamish, Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario. David Currie is one of those rare economists who combines good theory with real-world experience, and it shows in this refreshing work on 'Country Analysis.' He includes vital background to properly assessing countries to invest in, including the economic and political freedom indexes. Bravo! - Dr. Mark Skousen, Editor, Forecasts & Strategies