Abstract This paper attempts to answer the main question regarding the importation of pharmaceutical drugs; namely, whether or not the importation of foreign drugs should be allowed in the United States. For this purpose, the paper first examines the drug market structure in the U.S. and in Canada, with a focus on the existing price differential; it then scrutinizes the pros and cons in the importation debate on both sides of the border; and, in conclusion, it evaluates the merits of the arguments proposed by the drugs industry and by consumer associations.
From the Paper "The information technology revolution seems to have caught up with the pharmaceutical industry as a growing number of today's consumers have the ability to use broader and more comprehensive pricing information. The internet has given consumers access to cheaper drugs from Canada and has sparkled a far-reaching debate on U.S. drug companies? pricing policies. On one side, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical industry claim that foreign drugs do not ascribe to U.S. safety regulations, thereby arguing for limitations on imports; while, on the other, consumer associations require unrestricted access to cheaper foreign produce. To further dilute the issue, Canadian politicians are loath to stop online pharmacies from operation due to strong growth in the sector and high profit margins."
Abstract This paper looks at many aspects of the euro vs. the American dollar issue. The paper looks at the strength of the euro in proportion to the dollar, the benefits and disadvantages to both Europe and the U.S. of a strong euro or a strong dollar, and the possible future of both the euro and the American dollar.
From the Paper "In today's modern market, two currencies stand out, those of the United States dollar and the Euro. Until recently, the dollar was considered the strongest currency and the default currency for the world (Landler, May 18, 2003). Yet with Euro gaining considerable ground in many countries, the future of both the euro and the dollar is undecided."
Abstract This paper examines how, in 1994, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada signed a treaty that would foster the abuse and neglect of people, the environment, and culture of the North Americans and how it called for all barriers on goods and services between the countries of North America to be phased out by 2009. It shows how, on one hand, this meant a business could move to Mexico, where people who had been out of work for years would work in squalid conditions for next to nothing, and how it also meant laying off hundreds of thousands of hard-working American workers. The paper attempts to demonstrate that NAFTA is detrimental to both U.S. and Mexican economies because it enables the exportation of U.S. jobs and mistreatment of Mexican workers.
Outline
Background
Chronology
NAFTA's Downside
The Positive Side to NAFTA
Personal View
Solutions
Conclusion
From the Paper "NAFTA has shown no increase to the Mexican economy though much pollution has been linked to it. There are currently 1,900 malquidoras in Mexico. Studies conducted along the border have shown that large amounts of the pollution can be attributed to raw sewage and wood smoke produced by these factories. Of these 1,900 malquidoras 1,000 produce hazardous waste. Only 30% of these comply with Mexican environmental codes and merely 19% dispose of their toxic waste properly (Donahue). Much of this is inhibited by the Mexican government's lack of enforcement on the low regulations they have (Lowenstein)."
Abstract This paper argues that a high rate of unemployment has a negative effect on the national economy and greatly affects the living standards of the people. The writer states that, apart from the loss of productivity and the consequent economic downside, unemployment also has negative psychological implications and damaging effects on the family structure.
Outline
1) Introduction
2) Causes of Unemployment
a) The Four Components (Cyclical, Structural, Frictional and Seasonal Components)
b) Increased Productivity
c) Globalization, Outsourcing
3) Unemployment Statistics
a) National Unemployment Rates
b) State Wise Comparison
4) Effects of Unemployment
a) Okun's Law (Relation between GDP and Unemployment)
b) Unemployment and National Debt
5) Unemployment Benefits
a) Unemployment Insurance
b) Extended Benefits (TEUC)
c) Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
d) Personal Reemployment Accounts (PRA)
6) Personal Effects of Unemployment
a) Financial Strain
b) Psychological Effects
c) Effects on Family
7) Conclusion
From the Paper "Unemployment is one of the major economic problems affecting a nation. The United States, one of the vibrant economies in the world currently suffers from a huge unemployment crisis with more than 8 million people in the civilian workforce without jobs. After a decade of continued and consistent growth (1990 to 2000), which saw a growing GDP and a booming economy, there started a period of recession. Unemployment rates reached a recent high of 6.1% in June 2003. The loss of productivity and the extended unemployment benefits have created additional strain on the already deficient federal budget, which in turn has resulted in higher burden for the tax paying citizens. Let us analyze the underlying causes for unemployment, the unemployment support and provisions offered by the government and the effects of unemployment on the individual as well as the national economy as a whole."
Abstract Many Americans fear that outsourcing jobs to overseas workers is eroding employment opportunities in the United States and they worry that once these jobs move offshore they will never return. Others, including some economists, argue that job outsourcing will, over the long run, strengthen the world economy and eventually provide benefits to the U.S. economy as well. This paper provides a thorough examination of both sides of the argument.
From the Paper "The American economy needs a boost from innovation if it is to continue creating the next generation of leading-edge industries and new high-paying jobs. By its nature, technology leaps are unpredictable and risky, yet that's where the U.S. shines. It has the biggest economy on earth, enabling America to make technological bets that would crush other nations. The U.S. has by far the best-developed financial markets in the world, including venture-capital and high-yield bond markets for financing new businesses.
For the foreseeable future, the U.S. still has the best-educated workforce among the major economies, a plus for invention. The latest figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development show that 30% of Americans aged 25 to 34 have a college degree, compared with 24% for Japan and 14% for Germany. That's essential: Better-educated workers can better cope with rapid change, adjust on the fly, and imagine and develop fresh products and strategies."
Abstract This paper provides a discussion of outsourcing, focusing on the disadvantages. A definition of outsourcing is providing with a discussion of the disadvantages, including loss of American jobs, which negatively affects the U.S. economy.
From the Paper "In today's business environment there is a consistent and growing shift of jobs moving to foreign countries. The United States economy is feeling the negative impact of this shift of jobs. The recent increase of companies outsourcing jobs to foreign countries has had a negative impact on the United States economy. Outsourcing benefits the companies and not the employees."
Abstract This report provides a microeconomic analysis of crude oil behavior over a 25-month period (March 2001 to April 2003). The conclusion drawn was that supply expectations, as opposed to actual supply or demand changes, were the greatest influence on crude oil prices during the period of analysis. The paper includes 4 charts/graphs and 1 table.
From the Paper "Over the past six months crude oil prices have been especially volatile although the general trend has been upward over this period. Over a two-year period however crude oil prices have also ..."
Abstract This paper contends that conventional economics cannot be applied to the modern day health care system because of the complexity of the payment system that has become so vast throughout time. The paper cites examples of this, and further offers solutions to this problem.
From the Paper "Within the health care payment system there are a wide variety of entities that are considered. Patients, providers, insurance companies, and governmental health insurance all play a significant role in the health care payment system. This complex system, therefore, would be difficult to generalize in economic terms because of the vastness of the elements that affect health care every day. William F. Jessee (2003) describes the health care payment system as "multiple combinations of co-payments and deductibles, multiple coverage policies, multiple billing requirements, multiple coding policies, and multiple fee schedules..." (p. 19). This description can be considered in terms of the patient first. Each patient arrives within the health care system with different financial circumstances. Some patients may have insurance through their employment, or HMOs, and PPOS. Other patients may have government health insurance, such as Medicaid, or Medicare."
Abstract This report and debate was written as an English project. It focuses on why, as consumers, we place the blame for cigarette smoking solely on the distributors. This paper is meant as a defense for the Tobacco Industry. If you feel it would be helpful to learn more statistical information on smoking as well as a comparison between the arguments, it is provided in this report. Links are also provided so that you may find additional information directly from the organizations.
An look at how the leaders of the Civil Rights movement believed that racism was based on economics, and that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 38.95
Abstract The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was not a movement for equality in the social or political sense; rather, it was a movement to bring an end to economic inequality and exploitation by the elites. Common perception holds that the Civil Rights movement sought to gain certain political and social rights and equalities. Measures such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act reinforced such flawed perceptions. However, when the works of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement are consulted, it is discovered that they were seeking economic equality. They believed that the fundamental cause of racism was a flawed economic system. It is important to note that they did not believe that poverty in the traditional sense caused racism and inequality. They believed, especially King and Carmichael, that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed. This essay explore? their arguments why racism was based on economics, why the system was flawed, and how they hoped to change the system.
This paper looks at four possible uses of the American budget surplus (of 2000). The four possibilities are retiring debt, increase government spending, increase government transfer payments, or cut taxes.
2,927 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 19 sources, 2000, $ 86.95
Abstract This paper was written for an Economics 102: Intermediate Macro class. It looks at four possible uses of the budget surplus that our country first saw in 2000. The four possibilities are retiring debt, increase government spending, increase government transfer payments, or cut taxes. Each possibility is looked at with great detail.
The paper looks at the pros and cons of each possibility. A number of government and independent organizations are cited including the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Committee on Citizens for a Tax Cut. In the paper I conclude that the best course of action would be to split the surplus between retiring debt and increasing government transfer payments. This paper covers all aspects of the budget surplus and possible uses.
Tags: debt, government, military, payments, social, spending, tax, transfer
An overview of the contributions of both Smith and Marx, as well as an examination of both systems, which concludes that the market system is indeed preferable to laissez-faire.
1,020 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 12 sources, 1999, $ 36.95
Abstract This paper provides a good overview of the contributions of both Smith and Marx, as well as a good examination of both systems, while coming to the conclusion that the market system is indeed, preferable to laissez-faire.
Abstract Examines the role and importance of the foreign exchange market, the exchange rate, the spot and the forward market.
From the Paper "The Foreign Exchange Market performs many functions. The most significant are the following: it facilitates the foreign exchange needs of exporters and importers and it enables individuals, corporations and governments to obtain a desired currency mix of their portfolio. It is also regarded as a source of profit for some people and professional dealers who sell and buy currency."
Abstract This paper is a discussion of the events and factors that led to the stock market crash of 1929. Elements of discussion include over-speculation, foreign investment and England's economic policy.
From the Paper "The Stock Market crash of 1929 was a disaster for America and the world. The market plunged to new depths over a short period of time. There is no one reason for the crash of the market, nor is there any one person to blame for not foreseeing the problematic economic climate that was brewing in the years before the crash. After World War I, America was poised to take a leading role in the economy of the world and as a result, experienced dramatic financial growth. During the 1920s, the decade leading up to the crash of the market, the American people were enamored with the idea of luxury and prodigal spending. America seemed to overflow with prosperity and the average American felt that they were entitled to a portion of the financial growth. This mindset led to the dangerous practice of buying stock shares on margins and speculating. This enabled the investor to gain a maximum profit with the minimum expense and to buy a much larger amount of stock than he would have been able to without speculating. This led to an artificial rise in prices without any real gain in value. This, it turn, produced a precarious situation, the dangers of which are evidenced by the Florida real estate market of the mid-twenties. As a result of speculation, a massive inflow of business flooded into the stock market, which caused the average rate of return of the market jumped dramatically. Foreign businesses, seeing the lucrative possibilities in the market, began pouring their wealth into the American economy. This was also due to the fact that the English economy was set back to the gold standard, which made it more difficult for foreign countries to trade with England. Therefore, they poured their funds into the trade friendly U.S. economy. This, in turn, provided more capital with which more investors could buy on margins. All of these factors combined to create the dangerous environment that was necessary for the gigantic Stock Market crash of 1929."
Abstract This paper discusses the pros and cons of a market economy. The paper claims that in East and Central European societies corruption is widespread, social disciplines and ethics are low, and demand for social justice is weak, therefore social disciplines and ethics should be restored for rolling back de facto briberies and corruption effecting government and semi-privatized institutions. Suggestions are made as to what the government should do to motivate people to play a more active role in business and social life.
From the Paper "In a standard neoclassical model of the economy, there are markets for everything, now and for the future; everybody knows everything, and they know the same things; and there are no public goods, no externalities, no transaction costs, and no increasing returns. Since under these assumptions the market generates the first best allocation of resources, state intervention, in any form or fashion, is but a transfer of income; in turn, transfers of income, by causing rates of return to diverge from the competitive allocation, reduce incentives and misinform about opportunities. So, in this case, the market wins round 1."
