Discussion board question:
Driving a car has external costs. The health cost of pollution alone has been estimated between $0.40 and $6.00 per gallon of gasoline consumed. It is very difficult to measure the health costs. We are uncertain which health problems pollution causes and the cost of particular health problems are difficult to measure. Should the external costs of driving cars be paid through a tax on gasoline? Identify two strong arguments in favor of such a tax and two strong arguments against such a tax.
Below is the materials and readings for the week. Does not need to be written as a paper as this is for the discussion board.
Readings and Resources
eBook:
OpenStax College. (2014). Principles of Macroeconomics. Rice University.- this ebook is available in print, pdf, web view, and bookshare versions from the OpenStax College site. The assigned readings for this unit are linked below to the web view version for your convenience.
- Chapter 18: The Impacts of Government Borrowing
- Chapter 19: Macroeconomic Policy Around the World
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
This article offers a view of the effects of government debt on economic growth.
- Furth, S. (2013, February 22). High Debt is a Real Drag. Issue Brief No. 3859. The Heritage Foundation: Leadership for America.
Here’s an interesting look at how the national debt does in fact affect you.
- Adkins, T. (n.d.). What the national debt means to you. Investopedia.
Use The World Bank Institute website to search for “macroeconomic responses to a global economic crisis” using the search box in the top right hand corner of the page.
Watch Video
Government Debt and You
User: Dystopian Living – Added:7/1/11 YouTube URL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG1DUn8mMwk |
Watch Video
Monetary and Fiscal Policy
User: Khan Academy – Added:3/7/12 YouTube URL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntxMOKXHlfo |
An easy-to-understand overview of the global economic crisis. | A look at the basic mechanics of monetary and fiscal policy. |
Dambisa Moyo: Is China the new idol for emerging economies?
User: TED – Added: 11/11/13 YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q2aznfmcYU |
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This video looks at the Chinese economy as a global policy factor in the world today. |
Supplemental Resources:
Use these sites to help augment any research you may need for this week’s subjects. It may be helpful to add a bookmark for each site in your internet browser.