This book provides a multi-dimensional approach to economic thought. It systematically analyses the evolution of the subject and highlights the interaction between reality, ideas and individual traits. Contributions of individual thinkers like Smith, Ricardo, Malthus, Mill, Marx, Marshall, Keynes and many others have been discussed in detail. Important schools of thought have also been discussed.   There is a list of Select Readings at the end of each chapter for those readers who would like to make a deeper study of any specific author of line of thought. The book is meant to be a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students of various universities. It will be most useful in all the countries of Asia and Africa on account of its vast and comprehensive coverage of the subject-matter as it relate to these areas.