Category: Essentials of Economics: Ch 02
Recent economic history has led many commentators to believe that a free-market capitalist economy is the only efficient method of allocating resources. The transition of former Eastern Bloc economies has furthered this perception. In the article from the Guardian linked below, Andrew Murray considers this argument and argues that capitalism may not be the be all and end all of economic organisation.
No, capitalism is not the only way to order human affairs Guardian (8/3/07)
Questions
| 1. |
Discuss the arguments for and against using a free-market economy as the principal method of resource allocation. |
| 2. |
Assess the principal reasons for the transition of planned economies to market economies over the past two decades. |
| 3. |
Examine the validity of the arguments raised by Andrew Murray in his article. |
January 2007 saw unseasonably cold weather in California and the big freeze that occurred may have destroyed up to 70% of the Californian orange crop. Prices as a result of oranges are likely to treble in US shops. The impact on prices elsewhere in the world may be less, but is still likely to be significant as California is an important area in global terms. Oddly the price of orange juice is unlikely to be affected as very few of the Californian oranges go for turning into juice. The majority of oranges for juice are grown in Florida.
Questions
| 1. |
Using supply and demand diagrams as appropriate, explain the impact of the freezing weather in California on the world price of oranges. |
| 2. |
Using supply and demand diagrams as appropriate, compare and contrast (a) the change in the price of oranges and orange juice and (b) the change in the price of oranges in the USA and the rest of the world.. |
| 3. |
Examine the likely impact of the cold weather in California on prices of other foods. |