Change is an inevitable aspect of human life. As time goes by, certain processes and ways of doing things become inadequate. When it comes to economic systems, there is a need to review current models and revise them to meet new global demands in both developed and developing nations. This title is an essential reference source that discusses economic, political, and social environments in the modern age, as well as economic development in an era of global hyper-competition, dwindling natural resources, and a growing global skills gap. Featuring research on topics such as monetary policy, economic theory, and rural poverty, this book is ideally designed for business managers, policymakers, government officials, researchers, academicians, and upper-level students seeking coverage on theoretical and empirical models in economic behavior.