Archive for the ‘International economics’ Category
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/817995238/chinas-new-normal
China has been in lock down for over a month and a half. China has finally started to get things under control through travel restrictions and mandatory quarantining. Life is slowly beginning to go back to normal, indicating that things will get better.
Original Air Date: March 18, 2020
Length: 8 minutes 38 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What can other countries take away from China’s response to Covid-19? What should other countries do differently?
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/01/582510662/what-america-sells-to-the-world
Summary: From imports to exports of goods and services, America’s exports are significantly varied. The top three categories of goods that the U.S. exports to other countries are refined oil products, airplanes, and cars. In this podcast, THE INDICATOR discusses the $2.2 trillion of exports the U.S. ships across the world each year.
Original Air Date: February 1, 2018
Length: 6 minutes 14 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/07/584032956/obama-trump-and-trade
Summary: THE INDICATOR discusses the Trump administration trade policy thus far regarding the tariffs on solar panels and washing machines that were implemented during Obama’s administration. How much of an impact do tariffs actually make on a country’s economy, if they do at all?
Original Air Date: February 7, 2018
Length: 5 minutes 18 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/10/13/557645729/episode-800-north-koreas-capitalists?utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=bufferffd48&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Summary: Learn about a little group in North Korea, called the ‘donju.’ The economic prosperity that they developed went on to support the country’s nuclear program and contributed to the growth of their economy. This was all made possible when Kim Jong Un began allowing consultants from overseas to educate North Korean entrepreneurs on accounting, trade, and management. They did this without daring to actually call it a spread of capitalism, as North Korea still remains a strict socialist country.
Original Air Date: October 13, 2017
Length: 24 minutes 25 seconds
Discussion prompt (1): Having listened to this podcast, what type of economic system do you think North Korea has? What impact do you think this system has on people, businesses and the government. Use specific examples from the podcast to support your answer.
Discussion Prompt (2): The podcast points out that in N Korea’s economic system “the state technically owns everything.” How does this impact the ‘Donju’? Think particularly how it impacts the incentives they face to start and grow a business (contributing to economic development).
Discussion Prompt (3): Why would entrepreneurship not be something typically observed in a Centrally Planned/Socialist country? How are the economic incentives of this system related to this lack of entrepreneurship? According to this podcast, how did the economic actions of the Donju contribute to economic growth in N. Korea?
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/041917-mtech
Summary: “Move Fast and Break Things” is a newly released book about the monopolistic market structure of the internet. Marketplace interviews Jonathan Taplin, the author of the book, who is the tour manager for Bob Dylan. They discuss how the monopoly structure set up by the technology companies has ruined the communal nature of the internet. Also discussed is one silicon valley entrepreneur who left San Francisco for Minneapolis.
Original Air Date: April 19, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 35 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/21/world/warning-parched-china-city-runs-out-water
Summary: A northern city in China has run out of water, increasing pressure between the government and it’s constituents. Marketplace explores this multifaceted issue in regards to the future of China’s economic development.
Original Air Date: April 25, 2016
Length: 7 minutes 2 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04262017-mtech
Summary: Hacktivism is a topic for debate with the latest flurry of activity on the internet. Marketplace interviews a former hacktivist, who served time, but now is at a security firm. They discuss the value of hacktivism, and how technology’s role affects government. Also discussed is Phoenix’s rise as a technology hub, with autonomous cars being tested in Arizona.
Original Air Date: April 26, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 25 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04252017-mtech
Summary: Students in college can attest that credible sources needed for a research paper are often hard to find, especially the free ones. Marketplace introduces a new website that is the latest form of “hacktivism”, and is releasing research papers for free. Marketplace also introduces the competition between YouTube and Twitch.
Original Air Date: April 25, 2017
Length: 7 minutes
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/09/14/493810206/episode-724-cat-scam
Summary: The internet was supposed to eliminate middlemen, creating an area where consumers can buy directly from the manufacturers. However, the internet is filled with middlemen to the point that middlemen are worried about other middlemen. Planet Money discusses how the biggest companies on the internet (eBay and Amazon) are middlemen.
Original Air Date: September 14, 2016
Length: 21 minutes 5 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/04/12/523653040/episode-764-pub-in-a-box
Summary: Irish Pubs are everywhere, even in places like Hong Kong and the Ivory Coast. One architecture student from Ireland, Mel McNally, began selling the Irish Pub to other areas. Planet Money discusses how the Irish Pub is shipped in a box all over the world, and people will flock to it.
Original Air Date: April 12, 2017
Length: 17 minutes 19 seconds
Discussion Question: Who are Mel’s competitors in the market if he has control of the Irish Pub concept? What is the market structure?
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