Like a sitcom, a good news publication appears weekly to the sound of applause, and usually ends with a heartwarming moral about international trade. Bone up on economic antics with this Groupon: for $51, you get a 51-issue subscription to The Economist (a $126.99 value). The subscription includes delivery of 51 printed issues and access to The Economist online and audio. Subscriptions are automatically activated for the shipping address provided at checkout, with the first issue arriving within 5 weeks. This Groupon is valid for new subscribers only.

The Economist's globe-spanning scope, comprehensive analysis, and unflinching grasp on world issues make it required reading to stay up to date on world news, politics, and business. In addition to the weekly publications, subscribers to The Economist also receive special benefits, such as "The World in 2013," a special annual volume that predicts trends for the coming year. Subscribers also get unrestricted access to the online site, with a fully searchable archive dating back to the Neolithic age of 1997, as well as free access to The Economist in audio, which includes the option to listen to digital recordings of all print articles or to download them as a weekly podcast. For updates on the go, readers can also access The Economist via an iPhone, iPad, or Android to peruse the latest photos, articles, charts, and Big Mac index. Digital issues are not compatible with Kindle and Nook devices.