29 Dec Human Capital

Post ECO202 Unit 1 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 1 DB: Too much military, or not enough?
The allocation of resources to the military is a major policy choice for the US. First, find out how much currently is spent on military programs from the Center for Defense Information an independent watchdog on US military spending at: http://www.cdi.org/index.cfm
In Washington, DC, research organizations provide information to political leaders regarding the military budget. At the following two sites find three arguments in favor of the current budget level (or increasing it) and three arguments for reducing the current spending level. Select one argument from each side as the most important reason for increasing/maintaining/reducing military spending. Then write a response to this argument, pointing out its weak points.

The Heritage Foundation is a think tank to promote conservative public policies based on a strong national defense. http://www.heritage.org/Research

Project on Defense Alternatives is a think tank to promote the broadest range of defense options that will allow significant reductions in the level of armed forces and military spending. http://www.comw.org/pda/

Post ECO202 Unit 2 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 2 DB: How should we address organ donation shortages?
There is a shortage in the organ-transplant market. More than 100,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving kidneys, livers, lungs, and other vital organs. The government doesn’t permit organ sales to occur. In 1984, Congress forbade the purchase or sale of human organs in the United States (the National Organ Transplant Act).

Use the following sources to research this example of the price floor set at zero. Write your own conclusion regarding what should be done about organ shortage, including references to the sources you used.

Located in Richmond, Virginia, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, scientific and educational organization that administers the nation’s only Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network established by the U.S. Congress in 1984. http://www.unos.org/

The U.S. Congress established the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) when it enacted the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984. The act called for a unified transplant network to be operated by a private, non-profit organization under federal contract. http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/

The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting donation, education and research for the purpose of saving and improving the quality of life through organ, tissue and corneal transplantation. http://www.core.org/

Post ECO202 Unit 3 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 3 DB: Walmart- competitive wonder or community nightmare?
The most successful firm in US retailing during the last few years is Wal-Mart. Has Wal-Mart’s success fulfilled the virtues of competition? Has there been a cost of Wal-Mart’s success?
Find out what the critics contend at: http://www.walmartwatch.org/

List the problems allegedly caused by Wal-Mart for its employees, local communities, consumers, and the environment.

Find out how Wal-Mart responds at: http://www.walmartstores.com

What is the most serious charge against Wal-Mart?

Post ECO202 Unit 4 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 4 DB: Monopolistic Competition
Economists generally agree that U.S. antitrust policy is complex, changing over time, divided among several U.S. federal government agencies, and subject to frequent court reversals. The underlying question remains whether the U.S. needs more or less regulation of market structures.

Key questions are:

• Are U.S. markets becoming less competitive because of mergers and acquisitions?

• Are U.S. markets becoming more competitive because of new technology?

• Are U.S. markets becoming more or less competitive because of globalization?

• Is enough information available for wise antitrust enforcement?

US Federal agencies involved in antitrust include US Federal Trade Commission at: http://www.ftc.gov

US Department of Justice: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/index.htm

For international perspectives see:

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/otheratr.htm

For analysis:

For a strong anti-regulatory position see Heritage Foundation, a private advocacy group, has been influential in arguing against antitrust enforcement. For an overview see: http://www.heritage.org/search?query=antitrust+enforcement

See also: www.cato.org

The American Enterprise Institute: http://www.aei.org

For strong pro-regulatory position see the Economic Policy Institute, a private advocacy group, argues for more antitrust enforcement: http://www.epi.org/

The Brookings Institution attempts a non-partisan position and publishes frequent overviews of antitrust law. See, for example: http://www.brookings.edu/search?start=1&q=antitrust

Post ECO202 Unit 5 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 5 DB: Local Pollution
To learn about pollution in your area, log on to www.scorecard.org and enter your zip code.
What is the most common pollutant for your area?

Does this rank higher or lower than the national average?

If the pollution problem is reduced in your area, how will employment in your area be affected?

Is the socially optimal level of output identified by this organization higher or lower than current output levels?

Explain.

Post ECO202 Unit 6 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 6 DB: Global Poverty
Global poverty is an international issue. Other countries are inclined to look to the U.S. with its great wealth to take an active role in assisting poor nations. People here spend money trying to counter baldness while people in other countries are starving to death. On the other hand, foreign aid may be distributed as political favors rather than going to those most in need. Present both sides of the argument on whether the U.S. should work to achieve the Millennium Aid goal for contributions to increase the U.S. contribution to 0.7% of its GDP.For each side of the argument, provide three facts to support the argument. Use at least three of the following concepts in your response:

Extreme poverty
Severe poverty
Persistent poverty
Economic growth
Human Capital

Post ECO202 Unit 7 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 7 DB: County Poverty Rate
At the U.S. Census website, find the poverty rate in your county code by going to http://factfinder2.census.gov and entering your county in the Quick Start search bar. How does this “percent below poverty level” compare to the national rate? What factors are causing your county poverty rate to differ from (or equal) the national poverty rate?

Post ECO202 Unit 8 Discussion Latest 2017 June
Unit 8 DB: Chinese Currency Manipulation
Manufacturers in the US want China to increase the value of the yuan. They say China undervalues their currency making their products cheap, thus undercutting American business. Some believe that this is why Americans are losing jobs. Wal-Mart and other companies believe it is a good thing because it keeps prices low for the products they sells. Discuss whether low yuan value is good for the US because of low prices or if it is costing too many Americans their jobs. You will want to do some research on the subject of currency manipulation for additional information to debate this topic.