Part (a): Discussion post format
Include the following information as a numbered-bullet list (as shown below) in your discussion post (don't lose points by not numbering your responses): (It looks unprofessional and not university-level work. Only include your responses into your graded discussion submission.)
- Identify the "new" scarce-resource issue you've selected from the word-cloud in no more than 2 words (e.g., 1 or 2 words)
- Write a 1-paragraph "positive economics" substantive (5-7 sentences) summary of WHAT the news article (from STEP 1 above) is about; include enough detail as evidence of careful consideration of reading the article for understanding. Your summary should convey a "positive economics" perspective indicative of reporting the news (do not include "normative economics" statements in this paragraph. Underline & Bold the 1 or 2-word issue.
- Include a correctly formatted APA citation: Author, (date) Title of the news article; name of news source; and web address (copy/pasted)
- Write a 1-paragraph "normative economics" substantive (5-7 sentences) policy recommendation describing what you think we SHOULD DO ABOUT the issue (e.g., your own NORMATIVE" policy prescription). Your recommendation should be a specific ACTION that "should be" taken to address your issue of concern AND MUST ALSO mention the COSTS as well as the BENEFITS that would be received by individuals, groups, or society. Be sure to specifically include a thesis sentence (central idea) of WHO will pay the costs and WHO will receive benefits from your proposed policy action (minimum 5 sentences) and Underline & Bold this sentence. You do NOT need to provide a dollar value, only a description of what you are proposing that would have a monetary cost associated with it. Some examples include: consumer or producer taxes, spending on education spending, agricultural subsidies, government or private spending on scholarships or grants, trade quotas or other trade restrictions, investment spending on jobs training or other employment subsidies…the list is endless.
Sometimes, you can offer indirect (opportunity) costs stated in time, lives, health, education, or standard of living (although it can be a little more difficult to do this).
For example, the costs of illiteracy in the U.S. are estimated to be $300.8 billion in lost business productivity (Links to an external site.) associated with this social problem (World Literacy Foundation, 2018).
It is usually a little more difficult to consider indirect costs, but you can for this assignment as long as you can justify what we "give up" to get something else (be sure to address the cost AND benefit)
For example: "Increased company investments in providing mathematical and science literacy programs in the U.S. through after-school programs would benefit students whose parents/guardians do not have the time to help them with homework."
5.Write one question that you still have related to the new issue you've selected to briefly research (don't forget to formulate this bullet point as a question that includes a question mark). This should be a question that that has made you curious and you would like to know more if you had more time to research. Maybe someone in the class can answer it!