Manual of References and Exercises in Economics for Use with Volume II. Modern Economic Problems — Edition Insights

Structure and Pedagogical Design

The manual is organized into 31 chapters, each corresponding to a chapter in Modern Economic Problems. Every chapter opens with a list of references—typically scholarly articles and books from the 1900s–1910s—followed by a set of questions. The references are not exhaustive; Fetter notes in the foreword that the literature is vast and he includes only a selection, often the more recent titles. The questions vary in type: some ask for definitions (e.g., “What is meant by the separation of state and local revenues?”), others for historical outlines (e.g., “Outline the history of income tax legislation by the federal government”), and many for critical analysis (e.g., “What is your judgment with reference to its advisability?”). This structure suggests that the manual was designed for classroom use, where students would read the references and then discuss or write answers to the questions.

Recurring Themes in the Questions

A striking feature of the questions is their focus on policy evaluation and practical application. For instance, in Chapter 17 on property and corporation taxes, students are asked to judge the advisability of separating state and local revenues and to identify defects in Massachusetts's method of taxing interstate railroads. In Chapter 18 on personal taxes, questions probe the justice of progressive taxation and the strongest arguments for and against it. The manual also frequently asks students to trace historical developments, such as the history of federal income tax legislation leading to the 1913 act. These recurring patterns indicate that Fetter aimed to develop students' ability to analyze real-world economic policies, not merely to memorize facts.

Voice and the Role of the Instructor

The manual's voice is that of a professor setting tasks: it uses second-person imperatives (“Discuss,” “Outline,” “Name”) and occasionally includes evaluative prompts (“What is your opinion?”). The questions are open-ended, inviting debate rather than single correct answers. For example, in Chapter 19 on industrial remuneration, a question asks students to discuss the statement that under piece-work the foreman looks out for quality and the operative for quantity, while under time-wage the roles reverse. This Socratic style positions the instructor as a facilitator, not a lecturer. The manual itself does not provide answers, reinforcing its role as a tool for active learning rather than a self-study guide.

Readers approaching this manual should treat it as a workbook that demands active participation. The references, though dated, offer a window into early 20th-century economic thought, while the questions remain relevant for practicing analytical skills. To get the most from this text, attempt to answer the questions using the cited sources or contemporary equivalents, and consider how the issues discussed—such as tariff policy, taxation, and labor remuneration—continue to resonate in modern economic debates.

That economics manual stayed with me not for its exercises, but for how it framed scarcity as a quiet pressure shaping daily choices. It reminded me of Fields, factories and workshops — Text and Context, where the same tension hums beneath every page—work, land, and the slow ache of resourcefulness. Some books don’t lecture; they just leave you noticing the weight of ordinary things.