Download EC2020/EC202C Examination

EC2020/EC202C Examination
Examination Answers
• Need introduction and conclusion
• Introduction. Interpret question, indicate how
you are going to answer it, and why
• Conclusion should link back to introduction
• Devote approximately same time to each
subsection of questions. But link all sections
where possible.
• Some sub-headings useful.
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• Avoid long, rambling paragraphs
• Structure and argument key, not information
• Need extra ‘insights’ and commentary for high
mark (i.e. a First).
• Devote same time to all questions.
• Also attempt to answer all parts of question as
worded.
• Between 1,000 and 1,200 words for each
question
• Prepare answers; if all in your own words no
memory work involved. Avoid learning off from
other source (including class mates)
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Questions
A1 Why is it worth studying economic history?
Illustrate your answer with reference to some
examples from pre-1922 Ireland.
A2 In relation to historical economic events and
policy in Ireland, comment on the following,
bearing in mind the reasons for looking at history
at all: (i) the 1920s and 1930s, (ii) 1939 to 1960
and (iii) and from 1975 to 2015.
B1 Discuss the following. (Write up as one
continuous essay). (i) Are people the best judges
of their own welfare and if not who else is? Who
should be included in arriving at the aggregate
welfare for Ireland: immigrants, the Irish abroad,
future generations? (ii) Comment critically on the
links between GDP per capita and human
welfare. (iii) Examine critically the concept of
competitiveness and why it matters so much for a
small regional economy like Ireland’s, especially
as we are now in the euro zone.
B2 (i) Discuss the principles of efficiency, equity and
simplicity in relation to a tax system. ((ii)
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Illustrate the points you make with reference to
corporation taxes and taxes on income.
C1 (i) What is the rationale in principle for
government in a market economy? (ii) Why must
some of these functions be applied increasingly at
a global level? iii) What further issues arise in
relation to EU integration?
C2 Either: Discuss the following. (i) Definitions of
openness, non-traded sector, and roles of traded
and non-traded sectors.
(ii)
Reasons for
regulation. (iii) Approaches to and difficulties
with regulation.
Or, Provide a broad overview of policy in relation
to competition, and regulation of networks and
natural monopolies, in Ireland.
D1 Comment on the main components of state
expenditure in Ireland. Discuss the size of
government as an issue, and in particular what
the causes of variations in this size are, including
the impact of the political process.
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D2 Discuss the key policy issues in relation to the
following, drawing on the principles that should
underlie any good tax system: (i) VAT and excise
duties; (ii) property taxes; and (iii) national debt
as deferred taxation.
E1 Discuss the following, clearly linking the three
parts of the question. (i) What determines
population size in any country: illustrate your
answer with reference to the Irish experience up
to 2016, especially with regard to migration. (ii)
Examine the issue of labour supply and key
considerations in the nature of employment in
Ireland. (iii) Outline some key features of
unemployment in Ireland, paying particular
attention
to
long-term
and
youth
unemployment/inactivity. Comment on the
measurement/comparison difficulties that arise.
E2 Examine the agri-food sector under three of the
following headings: characteristics of agricultural
sector, agricultural policy, food processing and
distribution, and food policy issues.
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F1 Discuss the causes and solutions to
unemployment, as they apply to any economy,
using the following three divisions and using the
latest evidence available in the core book: (i)
global factors such as new technology and
increased trade and migration, (ii) labour-market
flexibility, such as wages, industrial relations and
employment protection legislation, and (iii) longterm unemployment, such as the operation of the
unemployment payments system and active
labour market policies.
F2 What is the economic rationale for state
involvement in the education sector? Outline
some of the difficulties of assessing performance
of the sector in Ireland, drawing on the most
recent evidence readily available.
G1 (i) What are the difficulties of comparing growth
rates of output internationally and over time?
Comment on other measures that could be used
to indicate changes in living standards. (ii) What
drives productivity growth (i.e. GDP per person
employed) in any economy? Discuss in terms of
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human capital, physical capital, institutions,
natural resources and technology referring to the
Irish case where possible to illustrate the points
you make. (iii) How would you briefly describe
the Irish growth experience in the last 10 years
and what are the prospects for growth in Ireland
2016 to 2020 would you argue?
G2 Either. Outline some of the key features of the
manufacturing
and
internationally-traded
services sectors and comment on some policy
issues in Ireland with regard to these sectors.
Or: Examine the energy sector, in terms of its
importance, provision and performance.
H1 Examine what is the role of the state in providing
health services? What in your opinion are the
key economic issues related to health policy in
Ireland?
H2 (i) What are the causes of inequality, within and
across countries and over time? (ii) What are
some of the advantages and disadvantages of
trying to reduce inequality? (iii) Either. Discuss
the political economy of poverty and inequality
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reduction. Or Key policy efforts and challenges in
addressing inequality in Ireland.
Structure of Paper
• Decide now on which blocks to choose
• Eight questions on paper do any four
• One question from each of Blocks A to H.
• An either/or question on assessment hand-outs
will appear as this also in examination.
• Preparing any four blocks covers you, with
certainty
• One-term students: 90 minute exam, four
questions answer any two from HT.
• Use (i) lectures/classes, (ii) book and (iii) articles
emailed to you throughout year
• Every examination question not covered for tests
was covered fully in lectures.
Comments
• Exam likely week of 9th May
• Results not until mid-June
• Remember Schol results before this, on April 11th.
Be prepared for surprise/shock!
• 50% of assessment already completed
• Timing of study: to end of exams, possibly 20th
May.
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• Avoid an F2 at all costs. Or two F1s.
• 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40 a pass, but not 70, 70, 70, 65,
65, 28
• Avoid messing up your summer by having to do
supplemental exams
• JS a crunch year, as need 2.2 or part of degree for
TSM
• May see some of you in EC3030 (European
Economy)
• Programme requirements though restrict greatly
some choices
• Also SER 2017 and debates: no applications until
first week MT next.
Study can be difficult!
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