We hear a lot about the economy and what politicians think we should do to help it, but what exactly is the global economy? Who controls it? What are recessions and how do they happen? How does microlending work? This book answers these questions and also shows how one nation's healthy or weak economy can greatly affect the global economy. Hot Topics is a sophisticated but accessible series for teens that tackles many of the issue of the day by taking an in-depth look at the issue, what it means to the people involved and society as a whole, and the various arguments and controversies on how to best deal with the issue.