Book excerpt: In the age of globalisation both domestic and foreign economic policies play an important role in determining firms' strategies. Understanding such policies is an essential part of the cultural background of managers at all levels of a firm. At the same time, firms' choices have a greater impact on economic policymaking in a global economy, as the range of alternatives open to them expands. In this textbook, Professor Acocella analyses both sides of this relationship. Special emphasis is placed on current issues: in policymaking on the basis of social choice principles and the normative and positive theory of economic policy; and issues concerning the establishment of international public institutions that can match the global reach of the private institutions (markets and firms) that generate many of today's economic challenges. Broad in scope, this book is aimed at students who have completed an introductory course in both micro and macroeconomics.