Includes bibliographical references (p. [354]-361) and index.

p. 1. The development of the capitalist system -- Economic systems -- The rise of capitalism in the United States -- Growth in the US economy, 1865-1914 -- Imperialism -- The socialist challenge -- p. 2. Markets in a capitalist economy -- Markets -- Labor markets -- Labor -- Income distribution -- Personal income and wealth distribution -- Poverty -- p. 3. Public policy : issues and institutions -- Market failure and government regulation -- The economy and the environment -- Measuring the economy -- Business cycles and unemployment -- The theory of output and employment -- Accumulation and macroeconomic instability -- The federal government budget : instrument of fiscal policy -- Money, banking, and the federal reserve -- International trade -- p. 4. Recent history and beyond -- The Great Depression : time of economic crisis -- The post-war economic boom -- After the golden age : the rise of free market ideology.