Economics has been defined as the “social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.” Truthfully, though, economics is much more than that – it’s the backbone of the entire modern world and drives everything from business to technology, from healthcare to education.

Anyone interested in this diverse field should do more than simply read books on the subject. Staying updated with current theories, ideas, trends, and news both in the United States and abroad is critical to being successful as a student and professional economist. The best way to do that is through the web.

EconomicsDegree.Net compiled the following sites, which are 100 of the best sites in the field. Listed in no specific order, these sites are a must-see for anyone who wants to be considered a quality, “enlightened” economist. Sites were selected based on a variety of factors including readership size, update frequency, information quality, and other awards received.

The following sites didn’t exactly fit into our other categories, but still offer much to anyone wanting to learn more about economics. Browsing these sites could make even the most fiscally ignorant person think about economics in a more informed way.

The Economic Collapse This blog is a good resource for people who believe that our economics are on an unstoppable collision course with disaster. In addition to worrying about economic analysis, this site has resources for hard currency buying and information about how to prep for a world post economic collapse. Econ Highlight: A Jobs Report Conspiracy.

Neighborhood Effects Originally conceived as a micro look at the economics of small communities and neighborhoods, this blog has now widened its focus to world communities and systems. Econ Highlight: Opportunity for States to Protect Land Use

Economics for Teachers This blog, written by an economics professor, approaches economics with the view that the world would be better if everyone knew more about economics from an earlier age. It addresses how to teach economics to all ages and stages. Econ Highlight: Introducing high school students to economics

The Simple Dollar This blog accurately bills itself as “financial talk for the rest of us.” In very clear, comprehensible language it talks about financial issues in everyday life. Econ Highlight: Realize Money Doesn’t Heal a Marital Problem

Scottish Economy Watch This is a resolutely regional economics blog focused on the Scottish economy. Well written with ample details and analysis, it is a fine example of how to write interestingly and intelligently about smaller-scale economic issues. Econ Highlight: Scottish labour market remains weak

MacroMania This slickly designed blog is a great resource for anyone interested in macroeconomics or fed policy. Because it is written by a Canadian working for the United States Federal Reserve, it serves up both an insider and outsiders view on issues. Econ Highlight: Is the Fed missing on both sides of its dual mandate?

Capital Gains and Games This blog examines how economics and politics speak with and past one another. Its analyses are detailed but extraordinarily readable and will leave any reader feeling more knowledgeable about how and why interactions between Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue work out as they do. Econ Highlight: Never Underestimate Wall Street’s Ability To Overestimate Washington

Cheap Talk Written by two professors, this blog primarily tackles economic issues, but also addresses politics and other eclectic interests of the writers. Always insightful and interesting, this blog is good for readers looking to learn, but not necessarily about any one thing. Econ Highlight: Incentives and the Value of Information

Next New Deal This politically inflected blog examines economic issues regarding financial reform, unemployment and inequality. Easy on the eyes and full of timely and interesting writing, this blog promotes a progressive vision of the economy. Econ Highlight: State and Local Education Funding Declined (Again) in 2011

The Economist – Democracy in America This blog, which is part of the venerable Economist brand, focuses on the politics and policy of American democracy. Though primarily politically focused, this is ultimately where the rubber meets the road between economics and politics. Econ Highlight: The wealth of Washington, DC: Profiting from gridlock

The Bonddad Blog This is a wonky but fascinating take on economics both past and present. The author, who is a self-described “new deal democrat,” is looking to history since the 50s to better understand the economy today. Econ Highlight: My Challenge to the BLS Truthers

Macnomics This is a course blog for a high school economics class in Canada. Though clearly aimed at a younger audience, it contains a wealth of knowledge for people looking for an entry point into economics and economic thinking.

Freakonomics Blog The Freakonomics blog, by authors of the popular Freakonomics books and a radio show of the same name, is about as “pop” as economics writing gets. Interesting, entertaining, with plenty of links to good resources, this is a must read for anyone interested in economics. Econ Highlight: Challenging the “End of Growth” Argument

On the Economy Written by a member of the Obama economics team, this blog takes and explicitly political view of economic and policy issues. Persuasively and understandably written, this is an eloquent voice for the left wing of economics. Econ Highlight: Jobs Day…First Impressions (with Reflections on the Fiscal Cliff)

EclectEcon This economics blog, written by a professor of economics in Ontario, Canada, focuses on the politics and economics of Canada. While it primarily examines Canadian economics, it does also address global and American economics. Econ Highlight: Venezuela: Demagoguery that Doesn’t Help the Poor

A Fine Theorem This blog examines recent academic economic work, with a focus on innovation, micro theory, and philosophy/methodology. Though it expects some background economics knowledge, it uses understandable language to explain these studies and explore their implications and drawbacks. Econ Highlight: “The Flexible Unity of Economics,” M. J. REAY (2012)

Center for Economic and Policy Research This site brings together a large number of threads and ideas related to modern economic and policy ideas from around the world. It presents, in an easy to navigate format, articles, opinion pieces, and news. Econ Highlight: Arithmetic Trumps Eurozone Politics

Economonitor Economonitor aggregates and publishes large quantity of economic and financial news and thinking from around the world. With incisive analysis and content, this site is required reading for people taking a wide view of macroeconomics and policy. Econ Highlight: Could QE3 Cause the Fed to Go Broke?

Inomics Blog This blog approaches economics through meta-analysis, looking at the state of the economics field. This is a great food-for-thought resource for students and people getting into economics for the first time, or simply people interested in the state of the field. Econ Highlight: How Economics Is Embracing Its Young

The Foundry This blog, a part of the conservative Heritage Foundation think-tank, approaches current economics and policy from a right-wing perspective. It is a go-to source of conservative economic thought, whether you agree with their political orientation or are looking for opposing thinking to sharpen a contrary analysis. Econ Highlight: Chart of the Week: Poor, Middle Class Hit by Obamacare Mandate Tax

The Oregon Economics Blog This blog, produced by Oregon State University, provides and analyzes economic and financial news related to the state of Oregon. This tightly focused blog provides a window into a subset of the wider economy that is useful to readers interested in Oregon, or simply in gaining more detailed information about one part of the economy. Econ Highlight: Comparative Advantage, Learning Curves and Streetcars

Marginal Revolution This blog, written by two economics professors from George Mason University, takes a wide-angle look at economics and its cultural impact. It is fascinating reading for anyone who is interested in real world implications of economics. Econ Highlight: Shared Creation

International Political Economy at the University of North Carolina This blog, written by professors and graduate students at the University of North Carolina examines politics and policy. Because it is more politically focused than most economics-related blogs, it is more interested in process than most, but is no less rigorous or academic for its emphasis. Econ Highlight: Update on FinReg Politics

Au Courant A blog with a uniquely academic focus, this blog analyzes developments in economics, public policy, and library technology and trends. No less quality for its emphasis, this blog provides information for people involved in academia in many fields who may also be interested in economics. Econ Highlight: The Georgia State filing – A declaration of war on the faculty?

Market Economics Market Economics is a blog that seeks to provide analysis of economic and market conditions by taking account of surrounding political economy and economic issues. Well formulated and articulated, this blog is great for people looking to expand their consideration of market economies. Econ Highlight: Three months of the carbon tax and guess what?

The Intelligent Economist This is a blog that recognizes that intelligent economists aren’t simply good at making models, but also at explaining their ideas. It is a fantastic starting place for people looking to better understand markets, and economic theory. Econ Highlight: Openness in Goods and Financial Markets

The Conscience of a Liberal This blog, written by Nobel Prize winner and political firebrand Paul Krugman, is required reading for people on both sides of the political aisle. Stridently and clearly written, Krugman is the voice of an entire liberal economic worldview. Econ Highlight: A Test of the System

Donald Marron This blog, written by retired public servant and adviser to the Obama administration, shares musings on Economics, finance, and general life issues. It serves as a well-written and easily understandable take on the economic and policy issues of the day. Econ Highlight: So You Think You Can Fix the Corporate Tax System?

UConn Econ Blog The UConn Econ Blog is focused on the happenings in the UConn economics department, and on economic events in Connecticut. While more focused on campus and faculty news than general economic analysis, it does provide links and analysis by some influential economists working at the university. Econ Highlight: Professor Prakash in the Media

Lawrence University This university blog provides information about events and articles produced by the Lawrence faculty. In addition to the university-specific news and information, the blog presents a number of interesting and accessible analyses on economic systems and topics. Econ Highlight: Simplicity vs. Complexity : It’s Not That Simple

The Pin Factory Blog This Adam Smith Institute blog, produced by the United Kingdom version of the Cato Institute, publishes libertarian economic analysis focused on the British economy. Promoting a distinctly British form of privatization and free market ideas, this blog provides analysis on the economy across the pond. Econ Highlight: TitleOfFeaturedPost

The Centre for the Study of African Economies Blog The Centre for the Study of African Economies, run from Oxford University, provides unique analysis and thinking regarding African Economies which receive less attention than many other parts of the world. This academic blog will broaden the horizons and provide unique information to any reader. Econ Highlight: To understand earnings in Africa, we need to look past the formal/informal divide

Economists Do It With Models Despite its risque name, this blog provides thoughtful content in a humorous, informal package. Once you get past the “graphic content” in the blog’s top banner, you will find yourself engaged by the insightful economic ideas. Econ Highlight: When Price As A Signal Of Quality Goes Awry…

cfed This site, produced by the Corporation for Enterprise Development, works to bring the latest understanding of behavioral economics and finance to empower low- to moderate-income homes to improve their economic assets. It contains a wealth of information for people looking to have an impact on poverty. Econ Highlight: CFED, ideas42 and the Citi Foundation Launch the BETA Project

NPR’s Planet Money Blog Similar to the Freakonomics blog, Planet money works to add narrative and cultural context to economic ideas and stories. A compelling look at the power of economics in daily life, this blog is essential whether you are an arm-chair economist, or a professor of economics and finance. Econ Highlight: Why Do The Jobs Numbers Change?

Captain Capitalism These “rantings and tirades of a frustrated economist” present a comical and consistently conservative take on the economy. Though not always displaying the most rigorous analysis, it is sure to raise a chuckle for those who enjoy a good rant. Econ Highlight: MSM Members Do Not Make Great Economists

The Radical Subjectivist A modern take on the Austrian school of economics (Hayek and his successors), this blog analyses some of the bigger economic philosophies being debated today. The posts are detailed and extensive. Econ Highlight: Keynesian Uncertainty

Economic Thought This blog approaches economics from an Austrian/Libertarian perspective, but nevertheless attempts to bring in heterodox views on policy and economic issues. The site is frequently updated and will provide food for thought regardless of one’s political or economic leanings. Econ Highlight: The Market, Not QE3

Institutional Economics This Australian economics blog examines how the Australian economy functions, and how its institutional systems functions. Far from being insular, the blog does an exceptional job of providing context and comparison with economic systems from around the world. Econ Highlight: We Welcome Foreign Investment, Except When We Don’t

HEALTH ECONOMICS BLOG This blog has a clear emphasis on assessing how health care and economics intersect and affect one another. It is also intended as a place for people with interest and expertise in health economics to share information with one another. Econ Highlight: Is the price disparity in Europe going to end?

Environmental Economics This blog aims to look at more of the microeconomic ideas that can be used toward environmental ends. Bringing to bear a large quantity of external sources and articles, this blog presents a clear vision of what economic environmentalism can be. Econ Highlight: “Report: Carbon tax could halve deficit”

A Dash of Insight Unlike the vast majority of the economics and finance blogs on the internet, this blog presents a hands-on approach to thinking about trading and investing. While the content is no less dense and detailed, the result is a applicable advice for the savvy investor. Econ Highlight: QE3 Misconceptions And How To Profit

This Young Economist This Young Economist presents the (generally left-leaning) economic insights of grad student of economics. In addition to his microeconomic analysis, he presents an incredibly useful list of educational videos on a wide variety on economic topics. Econ Highlight: A different perspective on financial aid

Global Economy Matters This blog examines and analyzes economic issues that are rarely, if ever, mentioned elsewhere. His posts are extremely detailed and can make a reader an expert in an issue that they have never before encountered. Econ Highlight: Is There Really Such A Thing As A Eurozone Credit Cycle?

Global Economic Watch This blog calls itself the “global economic resource center,” and provides analysis on some of the most important macroeconomic trends and econo-political news items. Econ Highlight: Quantitative Easing and Charges of Currency Wars