Unit 1B: Introduction to Trade

What better way to begin a study of Macroeconomics then to take a look at the basics? In this unit we will look at the important ideas of scarcity and opportunity costs. This is the introduction on how to think like an economist. In economics we will have to examine all choices from a cost - benefit perspective, "What is there to gain? What has to be given up? And is the cost too high?" To get a good look at this we will examine two important concepts, comparative advantage and trade. We will understand how opportunity costs are important to understand why we trade and why people benefit from trade."

Study Tools

Online Textbook Resources

Unfortunately, due to the age of the textbook, the publisher has removed all online content associated with our textbook. While we will use the book as an important source, the links given therein are no loner functioning. As a result, I will look online for other sources related to the topics in our text. Likewise, I encourage you to let me know of any useful websites that you come across in your studies so that I may add them to the site and share with everyone.

Videos

Video Link: Learner.org

• Economics U$A: International Trade

  From the website, The U.S. auto industry lost a lot of mileage in 1973 with the rise of the more efficient Japanese imports. In the 1970s, the "trigger/price mechanism" was developed in order to differentiate between fair and unfair trade practices. Debate over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) included accusations that American jobs would suffer and American firms would relocate south of the border. Others insisted that increased trade would create new American jobs and industries. These stories illustrate the pros and cons of free trade.

  This video is nearly 30 minutes. If this video does not automatically play, in the window that opens, scroll down to the title "27. International Trade" and click the "VoD" icon on the right.

• Economics U$A: Exchange Rates

  From the website, By 1925 Great Britain went off the gold standard, managing to increase exports and lessen imports. The U.S. market was flooded with British goods and U.S. industry suffered. In July, 1944 world economic leaders met in Bretton Woods, NH for a "new world economic order" and soon the dollar became the new standard. In 2002 the Euro became the standard currency for the entire European Union and threatened to compete with the dollar. These stories portray the palpable cycle of effects involving trade, domestic growth, inflation, and flexible exchange rates.

  This video is nearly 30 minutes. If this video does not automatically play, in the window that opens, scroll down to the title "28. Exchange Rates" and click the "VoD" icon on the right.

Copyright M. Caggia 2016