# Should I subscribe to The Economist? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363 "2005-09-25T19:27:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/1 "2005-09-25T19:27:42Z")
I’ve got one of those redeem your miles for free magazines offer. I’m thinking of exchanging some of those miles for a free subscription to _The Economist_. Anyone have any opinions on the magazine? I’m sure I’ve read it, but can’t remember too much about it. I have a degree in Economics and read most of the publications of the Federal Reserve Board as well as the _Wall Street Journal_. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/2 "2005-09-25T19:37:34Z")
The Economist is my favorite magazine, and I’m far from an economist. It has really great coverage of international news, and the snarkiest caption writers in the business. Sadly, my subscription expired a few months ago and I can’t justify the expense of renewing at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/3 "2005-09-25T19:41:16Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’ve got one of those redeem your miles for free magazines offer. I’m thinking of exchanging some of those miles for a free subscription to _The Economist_. Anyone have any opinions on the magazine? I’m sure I’ve read it, but can’t remember too much about it. > > I have a degree in Economics and read most of the publications of the Federal Reserve Board as well as the _Wall Street Journal_. Well, if you aren’t going to use those miles for some other purpose, absolutely. I think it’s the best print magazine on the face of the earth right now, but also I wouldn’t pay retail for it. The majority of it really does focus on general news or nation-related stories rather than “economics wonk” stuff, so if that’s what you’re looking for you might be better off with the Fed Reserve Board Stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/4 "2005-09-25T19:44:15Z")
> [@threemae](#): > > The majority of it really does focus on general news or nation-related stories rather than “economics wonk” stuff, so if that’s what you’re looking for you might be better off with the Fed Reserve Board Stuff. Agreed. If you all you want is economics, go for a more specialized publication. If you want money-related news, plus are interested in whether there’s a sugar shortage in Eritrea, go for the _Economist_ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/5 "2005-09-25T21:25:18Z")
What **threemae** said. I have a subscription through school, and I love it. It’s the only news magazine worth its salt any more. ---
**Author:** ![zahara2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/53a042/32.png) [@zahara2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zahara2)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/6 "2005-09-25T21:26:29Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’ve got one of those redeem your miles for free magazines offer. I’m thinking of exchanging some of those miles for a free subscription to _The Economist_. Anyone have any opinions on the magazine? I’m sure I’ve read it, but can’t remember too much about it. > > I have a degree in Economics and read most of the publications of the Federal Reserve Board as well as the _Wall Street Journal_. It’s awesome. Even while in college and working two jobs I made sure I always had my subscription. It’s well worth it. FT is pretty high up on my list also. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/7 "2005-09-25T21:35:24Z")
It’s one of my favorite magazines. Lots of well-written articles on interesting topics. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/8 "2005-09-25T23:35:58Z")
Excellent magazine. Be advised that it may cut deeply into your available reading time. The quantity of text in each issue is closer to the quantity in Atlantic Monthly or Harper’s than the quantity in your average newsweekly. Honestly, that’s the biggest thing wrong with it: there’s just so much of it. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/9 "2005-09-25T23:51:49Z")
It’s probably my favorite magazine other than The Atlantic. If it wasn’t for the cost, I’d subscribe in a heartbeat, and sacrifice the appropriate amount of free time to enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/10 "2005-09-26T00:39:06Z")
I subscribed a few months ago, and I love it. Like **ryobserver** said, there’s a lot of meat to the magazine. My only complaints are: 1. It’s expensive. (Although it is, IMHO, worth it.) 2. The website to subscribe online only worked with Internet Explorer, not Firefox. A very minor matter, sure, but it annoyed me enough to send them an email about it. Overall I’d definitely recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/11 "2005-09-26T00:42:42Z")
Just a hint: don’t subscribe through the website. Buy a copy and use the blow-in card. You save about $20 that way. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/12 "2005-09-26T01:05:59Z")
I like the Economist. I subscribe on and off depending on how much free time I have, and often by it over the counter. If you are having doubts, just look at the [www.economist.com](http://www.economist.com) website – lots of the articles are “free” and you can decide if you like the style. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/13 "2005-09-26T01:25:44Z")
I’ve subscribed on and off for many years. They are pretty consistently pro-democracy, with the exception of Israel vs. Palestinians, for some reason. Good writers, optimum level of complexity for me. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/14 "2005-09-26T01:38:40Z")
The only problem with getting The Economist for free with airline miles is that eventually it will stop, and you’ll be sorely tempted to pay the steep subscription price to continue! (I got it with miles, too.) ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/15 "2005-09-26T04:35:35Z")
I love it, it’s consistently intelligent, well thought out and offers perspectives not available in mainstream media. I’m currently on student rates so the price is bearable but I can’t imagine ever letting my subscription lapse. Then again, I’m the type of person to be endlessly fascinated by the sugar shortage in eritria. ---
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/16 "2005-09-26T06:00:05Z")
It is a quality magazine which views events from the perspective of big capital. In a recent article on Germany, for example, they focused on the need for “reforms” similar to those which were implemented under Reagan in the US and Thacher in the UK. You know what that means. To get a complete view of how the major players on the world scene play their roles, it is an excellent choice; but don’t make it your Bible. ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/17 "2005-09-26T12:20:46Z")
Solid magazine. Great science section. You will notice the difference when you are sitting in a doctor’s office and you have to pick up a Newsweek or Time. It does a good job of trying to keep a neutral view. It is also interesting to read American news stories as covered by the British. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/18 "2005-09-26T12:23:18Z")
> [@galen](#): > > It is a quality magazine which views events from the perspective of big capital. In a recent article on Germany, for example, they focused on the need for “reforms” similar to those which were implemented under Reagan in the US and Thacher in the UK. You know what that means. Hmm. Now it is starting to sound pretty attractive to me as well. Sounds like they have their head screwed on quite straight. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/19 "2005-09-26T12:27:25Z")
I recently received, in the mail a discount offer to subscribe to _The Economist_, but on the Groucho Marx principle I decided not to subscribe to any magazine that had to tout for my patronage. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363/20 "2005-09-26T12:46:29Z")
There’s an office subscription I might try and sneak a peek at if noone else objects. Its interesting to someone not interested too much in economics (like me) because of its news coverage. Or I might buy it at a student rate using my sister’s name 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-subscribe-to-the-economist/323363.md?page=2)