Issues in Economics Today is a modern issues book that presents the latest and most interesting topics. It was developed to allow instructors the maximum flexibility to teach this material in a manner that fits their personal style.

Some professors like to intertwine theory and issues while others like to lay the theoretical foundation first before heading into the issues. Faculty may choose to set a theme for their course and pick issues consistent with that theme, while others may let their students decide what issues interest them. Beginning with eight core theory chapters and followed by 35 shorter issues chapters, there is no right way to use the book. As a result of this structure, instructors do not have to teach the same course every semester.

The Fourth edition continues to stay on the cusp of recent events and topics, such as outsourcing, inflation targeting, the impact of trade agreements, the cost of adhering to the Kyoto protocols, induced demand in pharmaceuticals, myths surrounding affirmative action, the impact of gasoline prices on ethanol and corn demand, Apple's troubles with the EU, textbook price inflation relative to tuition costs, poverty in the US vs. other developed countries, and a recasting of the War chapter to focus more heavily on occupation costs.