EE 566 Topics in Economic Development

EE 566 Syllabus

Articles, Links, Reading Lists

The three best general news sites for information to answer the below questions are:

Realclearpolitics http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
Realclearworld http://www.realclearworld.com/
Realclearmarkets

1. Agriculture: Using insights gained from the explanation of U.S. agriculture policy, explain why there is so much POLITICAL support for ethanol in the U.S., as long as it does not come from Brazil.

"Iowa's Stake in Ethanol Distorts our Politics"
"Energy Independence: Past and Future"
"The Many Myths of Ethanol"
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1. Social Security:  Explain why there is not “social security trust fund”, and how YOU think the U.S. government should solve the program’s long run fiscal troubles

On the trust fund:
"True National Debt Nowhere Near 14.3 Billion"

On solving the Social Security Fiscal Problems:
"Seeking an Honest Fix to Social Security"
"How to Eliminate Social Security and Medicaid"
"Social Security: Just the Facts"
"Why Social Security is Welfare"

1. Poverty and the Poor:  Explain the difference between Relative Poverty, and Absolute Poverty, and some of the difficulties that occur in measuring each in the U.S.

1. Health Care:  Explain why health care costs in the U.S. are rising so rapidly, and how does Obamacare attempt to contain those costs.  What would be a market-friendly way to do so, and which do you think will work better.

What is Driving Rising Healthcare Costs?
in case the above link doesn't work -- http://www.american.com/archive/2009/may-2009/what-is-driving-rising-healthcare-costs

http://www.realclearmarkets.com/topic/topic.php?topic=healthcare_system&id=2909&letter=h

1. What is the problem with the E.U.’s common currency, and do you think it can survive.  Be sure to discuss the Political issues involved. Can

The best article, though a bit long, is:
Can the Euro Survive?
What is the Purpose of the Euro?

Others include:
Greek Tragedy won't end in Euro's Death
The Euro Won't Die, but does it have a Future?
Sticking Plaster won't solve the Euro's Crises

(I can't link to, but interesting from a political standpoint, is http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ambroseevans-pritchard/100009565/is-the-bundesbank-spoiling-for-a-fight-over-the-destiny-of-emu/

Extra Credit…..  Anybody who wants can ADDITIONALY answer the following question, and if its score is higher than any of the previous questions, I will count its score instead….

1. The U.S. Budget Deficit:  Explain the difference between President Obama’s proposed deficit reduction plans, and the Republican’s “Ryan Plan”.  Which do you support, and why.

Last Modified; May 16, 2011