Friday, 13 October 2017

A2: Optimal Currency Areas - end of the Euro, Pound and US Dollar?



With Catalonia, Spain and the EU in the news perhaps time to dust off  useful article about optimal currency zones?

Interesting article by Keynesian economist Paul Krugman on why the Euro may or may not have created problems for its member states; or why the USA might break up. Worth using the article to think about our own currency union - the pound. Do we have an optimal currency area in the UK or will Scotland leave the Pound?

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/revenge-of-the-optimum-currency-area/

The creation of the Euro-zone will create an optimal currency zone: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13893034

Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Year 13 Perfect Competition

Some useful Tutor2u videos to get your head around perfect competition in the short run and long run. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the conditions behind perfect competition and the notion of normal and abnormal profit. Try to relate perfect competition to existing markets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC3ck5B-L-s  = Short run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLaqDnx5tws = Long run

Ebay is cited as an example of a market close to perfect competition, but how close is it? Read this excellent article by Tejvan Pettinger to get you exam prepared and consider EBay's competitors.

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2379/economics/ebay-and-perfect-competition/

Paj as always has a lovely short video explaining Perfect Competition here:


Exam Tip - always try to show the two diagrams market (industry) and firm alongside each other.

Friday, 30 June 2017

Summer Reading

One of my favourite eonomists Martin Wolf selects some best reads for 2017: https://www.ft.com/content/5cf6a4b8-579b-11e7-9fed-c19e2700005f?mhq5j=e3

Also still useful is Tutor2u's  Summer 2015 Oxbridge Economics Reading and Videos: https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/summer-2015-oxbridge-economics-reading-and-videos

Thursday, 29 June 2017

UCAS Statement

Tutor2U webinar providing useful tips:

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/writing-a-great-economics-personal-statement

Electonic document guiding you through applying for economics degrees and on building a strong platform for applications to the UK and overseas:

https://www.tutor2u.net/_legacy/blog/files/UCAS-Economics-Advice-Spring2012.pdf

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Welcome to studying Economics at The Cherwell School




For your Summer homework please complete:
8EC0 01 - Write up a report explaining the main reasons why the price of oil has fluctuated in recent years and what you expect it to do next?


8EC0 02- Write a short essay on: "How well is the UK Economy being managed?"


For both pieces of work try to use positive economics referring to research you have used, economic theories you might have discovered and economics data.


Deadline: 4 September


Paper copy or email: tgray@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk
Get Set for your new subject:


Textbook – Anderton 6th edition (Edexcel - new for 2015)


Useful websites:
www.grayseconomics.blogspot.com Mr Gray’s Cherwell Economics website
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics Economics Blog - Tutor2u, lots of useful resources - google 'Tutor2u subscribe' to be sent latest resources.
Why Study Economics - http://whystudyeconomics.ac.uk/
Your exam Board Edexcel – specification, Anderton text book link,past papers, mark schemes and examples of students responses with examiner comments.
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/economics-a-2015.html
Have a lovely Summer break

Mr Gray

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Year 13 - Globalization - Summer work


Masden Pirie, President of the Adam Smith Institute, sets out the free market case for Globalisation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shepp7De_4o

Stephen King was the chief economist at HSBC from 1998 to 2015. He now says 'Western led globalization is in big trouble. We may be witnessing the collapse of the post-war international economic and political order'. HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur asks him why he thinks globalization could go into reverse and what damage could be done to economies across Europe and the United States.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0555kpv


Assess two factors causing deglobalization?


Discuss the benefits and costs of globalization?


Evaluate the consequences of de-globalization?


Further to the above is the issue concerning the 'Economic of Happiness':


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyQaUDLW6ts


Apply the above to a Developed economy (UK/USA/S Korea) and a Developing country (BRICS, MINT, LEDC - e.g. Ethiopia).

Year 13: Merger or De-merger - Summer work



Merge or De-merge:
Choose a company that is proposing to merge or de-merge.
Explain the reasons for the merger/demerger?
Assess the impact of the proposed merger or demerger on businesses, the owners, managers, workers and consumers?
Do you think the government should support the proposed merger or de-merger?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be-M5ZsBtgQ

Tuesday, 13 June 2017

Chains of reasoning - Tutor2u

A key exam skills is using chains of reasoning in your explanation (analysis). Tutor2u have a collection of short videos to help you with this to develop your thinking skills:

https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/collections/chains-of-reasoning

Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Growth and development

Solow's catch up growth theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ZFd3qYtRs
Growth without development - longevity, rising inequality, pollution, access to health and education in remote rural area:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17121978
Middle income trap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uKYYQAgJDg