Do I need to use 'the' in this sentence?
I would like to limit my dissertation to three spheres: economy, politics, and culture of America.
Do I need to add 'the' before economy, politics...?
Solution 1:
I would go with the economy, politics and culture.
The reason I prefer that is because there are two senses of economy.
- the state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money
- careful management of available resources
The second is a mass noun so using the definite article precludes it. Of course, the reader should infer meaning number 1 anyway but I think it sounds better this way.
Solution 2:
There is a difference between economy and the economy here (so it is with the rest.)
I would like to limit my dissertation to three spheres: economy, politics, and culture of America.
refers to the academic subjects.
I would like to limit my dissertation to three spheres: the economy, the politics, and the culture of America.
refers to the state of these things at some of time, presumed current, unless defined in context.
That's the way I would understand it.