Students know that throughout their lives they will make economic decisions and be influenced by economic forces. They want to understand the economic principles that can help them navigate these forces and guide their decisions. Foundations of Economics is our attempt to satisfy this want. The response to our earlier editions from hundreds of colleagues across the United States and throughout the world tells us that most of you agree with our view that the principles course must do four things well. It must Motivate with compelling issues and questions Focus on core ideas Steer a path between an overload of detail and too much left unsaid Encourage and aid learning by doing