This book explores the role played by the individual in the economy, in particular, how the individual experiences the economy. It shows the role of government, markets, and welfare in shaping our lives, providing an overview of the workings of the economy that takes as its starting point the interface between the individual and the system.

Steve Coulter is LSE Fellow in the Political Economy of Europe at the London School of Economics. He is also an associate fellow of the Social Market Foundation think tank. He was previously a senior economics analyst for BBC News.