The fourth edition of Simple Economics is both expanded and updated. A new chapter on the history of economics itself continues to be added, and the implications of this history examined. Among other improvements throughout the publication, a new section within the special role of corporations throughout the market has been added to the chapter on government and big business.

Simple Economics, which includes now been translated into 6 foreign languages, has grown so much that a large amount of material previously found in the back of the book has been put online instead in order that none the book itself nor its price will have to expand. The central idea of Fundamental Economics, however, continues to be the same: The essential facts and principles of economics usually do not require jargon, graphs, or equations and can be learned within a relaxed and even enjoyable way.