trident eco202 module 5 case study and SLP

The Two Branches of Macro-Economic Theory

Thinking like a Mac ro-Economist:

John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman

Macro-economics is perhaps the most divisive area of economics when applied to political decision making, and macro-economists divide themselves into different schools of thought. Two of the biggest camps are the Keynesians and the Monetarists. Keynesians and post-Keynesians follow the theories of John Maynard Keynes, the most-celebrated economist of the 20^th century who proposed that government stabilize the economy with the use of fiscal policy. Monetarists, on the other hand, follow the teachings of Friedrich Hayek. For this assignment do some research on the ideas of Keynes and Hayek. Focus on the "big picture" of what their main ideas are and how they have influenced policy makers. Then write a 4 to 5 page paper addressing the following questions:

1. a. Discuss the policies that Keynes and Hayek advocated regarding how the federal government should manage the economy. What are the major differences between each school of thought.

b. Based on your answer to question #1a, which of the two economists would you agree with more? Explain.

2. Read Case in Point 3: Steering on a Difficult Course in section 17.3 of the online text (link here).

a. Why did people believe the difficulties Asian economies were experiencing in 1997–1998 might bring a recessionary gap to the United States?

b. In dealing with the recession of 2008 why is it important for the Fed and Congress to coordinate monetary and fiscal policy measures?

3. Compare the rationale of the Reagan administration for the 1981 tax reductions with the rationale behind the Kennedy–Johnson tax cut of 1964, the Bush tax cut of 2001, and the Bush tax cut of 2003.

Case Assignment Expectations:

LENGTH: 4-5 typed and double-spaced pages.

In addition to the overall quality, depth, grammar, and organization of the paper, the following will, in particular, be assessed:

1. Use information from the modular background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Make sure you cite all resources you use and provide a reference list at the end of your paper.

2. Your ability to apply the concepts and knowledge learned in this course to formulate your own ideas about resolving economic difficulties.

In this course, we have covered several important concepts such as GDP, unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy. For our final module you will apply these concepts to your firm.

SLP Assignment: Current Event

1. Pick an recent newspaper article (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, etc.) that focuses on your firm or industry. Describe the event and the issue for your firm. (summarize article by including, who, what, when, and where)

2. Describe the basic issue and backgroun behind the event.

3. What economic principle(s) can be applied to the event or issue? Identify and briefly describe a specific principle that we have covered in one or more of the modules.

3. How does this event impact the future of the firm or industry? For instance, what do you think would be the future outlook for the firm?

SLP assignment expectations:

Use information from the modular background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Make sure you cite all resources you use and provide a reference list at the end of your paper.

LENGTH: 2-4 typed and double-spaced pages.

In addition to the overall quality, depth, grammar, and organization of the paper, the following will, in particular, be assessed:

1. By your ability to apply variability in the economy to the operation of your organization.

2. Your analyzing organizational activity in the context of general economic activity and constraints.