This student guide is intended to assist persons employed as supervisors in understanding the main sectors in the national economy. Discussed in the first four sections are the following topics: the economic system (economic decisions and types of economies), the public sector (extent and control of the public sector, finance of the public sector, and provision of public services); the private sector (types of private sector organizations, the stock exchange, and sources of investment finance for the private company); and government economic policy (general economic aims and fiscal, monetary, and income policy). Each of these sections contains an introduction, sections of instructional text that are interspersed with reinforcing learning activities, and a section summary. The fifth part of the guide includes a series of performance checks (an end check, a tutor check, and a work-based project). Concluding the guide is a unit review that reviews the objectives addressed in the guide, describes related extension courses, and lists recommended reference materials. (MN)