Question

Explain how and why The Middletown Series would be considered a macro study and The Up Series a micro study.

Answer 1

Economics involves the study of social relationships pertaining to the production and allocation of the means of life. One branch, macroeconomics, addresses issues relating to the performance of the economy as a whole, such as economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, while the other, microeconomics, studies the relationships that comprise an economy, addressing problems of income and wealth inequality, corporate power, industrial performance and global trade, and financial flows. Students majoring in economics find that they acquire an excellent preparation for careers in academics, business, consulting, law, and government.

The Middletown study is often quoted as an example of the adage, "nothing really changes". Despite being conducted in 1925, the description of American culture and attitudes has remained largely unchanged. For example, even today, many news agencies, when trying to figure out what the "average American" believes, visit Muncie, Indiana. Pollsters do as well - the city has, for the most part, successfully predicted the election of U.S. presidents.

This view was only furthered by the results of the second study - if the Great Depression was unable to cause major changes in the town's social structure, the implication is that nothing will.