Group items tagged

This article describes the impact of the Ebola virus on the economic development in Western Africa. The lack in health infrastructure has not only lead to negative economic growth, however it has also led to the decreased use of education and healthcare services, increased job losses, rising food prices, agricultural disruption, increased poverty, increased child and maternal mortality, and increased the spread of HIV/AIDS. The initially poor infrastructure in Western Africa has led to negative development.

Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation has been seeing a lack of economic development in the past year of 2014. This corporation hasn't achieved their goals of creating 2000 jobs. However they're not even halfway there. For this corporation to increase economic development within the are of economic development, more people must be employed in order to increase the output and therefore the GDP

From Al Jazeera I chose this article about the poor state of the economy in South Africa, 20 years after Nelson Mandela and the ANC came to power, ending the system of political, social and economic segregation, Apartheid. Despite reforms in the 90's the majority of wealth and power is still held by rich whites. With around 30% unemployment rate and young people struggling to find work many feel only anger and resentment to the current ANC government led by Jacob Zuma. Economically speaking South Africa's imports are up and exports down, reducing GDP as AS is shifted left. This is especially evident in industries like mining and banking which many are now calling for to be nationalised. 20 years on from Nelson Mandela's historic victory in the 1994 general election, South Africa, despite being free of the shackles of segregation is not in the boom many predict. The ANC must be careful in there actions, should they, following the death of Madiba lose contact with his legacy and what he stood for.

This interview details the style of policy making to promote growth initated by Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister. Economic growth and development is arguably the most important area of policy in India and will be a huge focal point of any international discussions centered around the region.

This article details the so called resurgence of the US dollar, in terms of currency value. The currency itself has risen by around 7% against other currencies but Guardian economist Mohamed El-Erian warns that without the appropriate accompanying central bank policies, the rise of the dollar could cause further market volatility and at worst a new crash. El-Erian calls for governments to enact policy to support balance the current currency realignment. 

Fair enough, this is not the classic article we usually post here. Nonetheless, I found it to be an article that emphasises the role of central bank, a little bit like a mini notebook. It connects central bank to economic development well and explains what are possibilities of policies for the central bank.

Agustin Carstens, governor of the Central Bank of Mexico warns about the spillover affects into the developing world from advanced economies' banks' monetary policies. Money has found its way into emerging markets leading to higher exchange rates and weakening exports according to Carstens. This is a dangerous bubble that could be liable to burst should growth pick up soon. Overall this article provides an interesting insight into how one countries policy choices can have global consequences and how international economics really is.

The "Help to Buy" was a political masterstroke since, among other things, the government got help with the claim for a credit for an upswing in the property market, helping to spark a building boom. I think, the offering taxpayer subsidies, will help allocate resources in the free market since more will get willingly to pay for houses. But this is risky for the British housing market, since the levels that would be required to keep prices stable will remain below what is needed.

This article is about the biography of Steve Jobs. It is talking about how Jobs used agglomeration externalities, "individuals and firms obtain productivity boosts by clustering together". By the use of the location, Jobs managed build up the company, but he is not alone building this company. He has his personal and professional associates that result in a boost in productivity. They use agglomeration.

In this article, the author discuss the affects of the actions of the government in China. It is a modern topic today due to the demonstrations being held in Hong Kong. The authors mentions that the statement about entering a democracy, and then pulling back on the decision means that they were on the right track to get the market more free from the government, hence less poverty, but now he thinks it is gonna worsen the economical conditions. A free market has saved many economies, why should China still not give in for the human rights and improve their economy?

The UN has made the intentional decision to transform the current economic development model, one that has been followed for 150 years, or since the industrial revolution. Particular attention will be attributed to the issue of climate change.

This article talks about the logistics of scraping the license fee that finances one of the worlds most famous examples of a public good, the BBC. Economic stagnation and falling wages have left many consumers disgruntled at the license fee and with the BBC failing to keep up with it's competitors in terms of revenue, costs have had to be cut at the world renowned corporation. The article explores the concept of the public good and how politicians have began to propose alternatives to the license fee.

This article is about free trade, as Kiev and Brussels will launch a free trade zone, only if Russia violated the Brussels agreements on implementation of the Ukraine- European Union Association Agreement. 

The European Union have reached an agreement with China to end the threat of EU tariffs on Chinese telecommunications equipment. The tariff was going to be imposed as a form of protectionism to protect the European manufactures Ericsson, Nokia and Alcatel against the Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The Chinese firms are able to produce equipment cheaper than the European firms, due to more abundant natural resources, but also, crucially through subsidies from the Beijing government. The deal reached on October 9th, sees the Chinese companies granted a share of the market, but not access to it fully, as this is reserved for the European firms, to protect EU economic growth in such a tempestuous time, showing that, forms of protectionism still exist in the market, despite this agreement.

I think this article relates to what we are studying as it mainly talks about scarcity. It says that water scarcity is one of the main challenges in Delhi, there is a huge demand for it but they need to learn how to distribute it around the city. People usually do not think that water is scarce, however this article shows that it is and people need to learn how to effectively distribute it.

Water scarcity is a very tough argument. We are consuming very high quantities of water and a huge part is being wasted. The study of economics may help people the population to make a "production possibility curve" so that the use of water is balanced.

It's really important that everyone start to realize how bad this cold be in the long run. If this wasteful use of water continues, we are going to face some serious consequences. Scientists should start working on developing new methods for agricultural use of water, as agriculture is considered to be on top of the consuming industries of water in many areas. meanwhile I think that countries should develop a water consuming rule, that somehow reduces water consumption.

This article explains how the utilisation of Structural Adjustment Policies in developing African countries is failing to bring about the growth they are claimed to achieve. SAP's were designed to achieve economic diversification and reduce poverty among other things but the author of this article argues that they have not achieved any of these any of these aims. SAP's are an example of government intervention in a market to prevent negative externalities.