This is an individual essay, which accounts for 30% of your overall mark.
The word limit is 2000 words.
This assignment gives you an opportunity to explore in greater depth a topic within the subject that happens to interest you. In essence, your assignment should seek to apply some of the economic theory studied to a particular real- world case study, policy debate or controversy. Examples of possible titles include:
- Are global1 trade2 patterns consistent with economic theory?
- How might democratic states avoid a ‘protectionist backlash' against free trade?
- If there are gains from trade liberalisation, then why do countries so often choose protectionism?
- What is the proper role of free trade within successful economic policy?
- Is trade liberalisation necessary for economic growth and development?
- Does inward FDI benefit developing countries or are they exploited by MNEs?
- Does outward FDI deindustrialise or enrich Western nations?
Or any other title within the scope of the subject that reflects your own partic- ular interests. If you choose your own title, you may wish to check its suitability with me. (A word of advice: In order to focus your work, it can often be a good idea to frame your title as a question.)
An important part of this assignment is the work you put into framing and then researching your own topic. Possible sources of inspiration for a title are the assigned textbook and a selection of journal readings listed below. Please do feel free to consult me concerning your ideas for a title and/or possible sources for background reading and research.
In addition to the assigned readings and other journal articles that you find for yourself, you may find it useful to refer to articles on globalisation and/or country case studies from quality media outlets (e.g. The Economist, the Fi- nancial Times etc.) during your research. The o?cial publications of relevant international bodies (e.g. the World Trade Report from the WTO, and the World Investment Report from UNCTAD) are also extremely useful sources of material. It should go without saying that you should avoid plagiarism. Be sure to include references for any material (e.g. quotations or illustrations) that is not originally yours. If you are unsure about plagiarism/referencing rules, then please consult the relevant pages in the Subject Learning Guide.
In terms of the structure of your assignment, it is generally expected to in- clude selective surveys of the relevant economic theories and empirical material, together with an evaluative discussion of how well the two fit together and/or the implications for public policy. The first part, the surveying, is essentially descriptive, and doing it well will usually get you into mid 60s to 70s terri- tory. In the second part, the evaluation, you demonstrate that you are able to apply the economic theory (e.g. that you understand its implications and strengths/weaknesses in a specific context). Doing this well requires skills of criticism and evaluation, and will typically increase your mark into the mid 70s and above range if you are able to show how your conclusions follow from empir- ical evidence and/or economic theory (i.e. your conclusions should be supported by your analysis and should not be free-floating assertions).
A selection of Journal articles:
Freeman, Richard. 2005. "What really ails Europe (and America): the doubling of the global workforce." The Globalist.
Available at https://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=4542
Freeman, Richard. 2004. "Trade wars: the exaggerated impact of trade in economic debate."
The World Economy, 27(1): 1-23
Glyn, Andrew. 2004. "The assessment: how far has globalization gone?"
Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 20(1): 1-14.
Krueger, Anne. 1998. "Why trade liberalisation is good for growth." The Economic Journal, 108: 1513-1522.
Krugman, Paul. 1993. "What do undergrads need to know about trade?"
American Economic Review, 83(2): 23-26.
Krugman, Paul. 1993. "The narrow and broad arguments for free trade."
American Economic Review, 83(2): 362-366.
Krugman, Paul. 2008. "Trade and wages, reconsidered." Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Spring: 103-154.
Rodrik, Dani. 1998. "Globalisation, social conflict and economic growth."
The World Economy, 21(2): 143158.
Slaughter, Matthew. 1999. "Globalisation and wages: a tale of two perspec- tives." The World Economy, 22(5): 609-629.