SAGE Readings

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Beary, B. (September 2013). U.S. Trade Policy. CQ Researcher 23(32), 765–788.

PDF icon us_trade_policy_Chernotsky2e_CH7.pdf

This article discusses current US trade policy, with a particular focus on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It tackles many questions that are raised by such trade talks, such as if expanding trade will create American jobs, whether or not US firms can compete with state-owned companies, and if the expansion of free trade promotes human rights and democracy. This article traces the history of US trade policy through its inception as a country, the expansion of world trade and its effects on the United States, the period of backlash against globalization, and finally to the present day negotiation of regional trade pacts. Finally, this article touches upon the declining US trade deficit, the forecast for the T-TIP and TPP, and how the US Congress factors in.

  1. What are the primary motivations of the United States to pursue regional free trade agreements?
  2. What is meant by competitive liberalism? What does this imply for global trade relationships?
  3. How may expanding free trade create American jobs? How may it result in job loss in the United States?
  4. How may state-owned companies affect private competition? What are some examples?
  5. How may free trade promote democracy? What evidence is there that contradicts this idea?

Learning Objectives: To understand the current environment concerning US trade policy and to assess how trade policy affects relationships among countries and domestic economic issues.

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McLure, J. (November 2012). Booming Africa. CQ Global Researcher 6(22), 521–548.

PDF icon booming_africa_Chernotsky2e_CH7.pdf

This article considers the question of whether or not Sub-Saharan Africa is poised for sustainable, meaningful economic expansion, similar to that of East Asia. First, it outlines the evidence pointing towards booming economic growth, the reasons for this boom, and looming problems. This article then discusses questions of whether or not African economies are able to diversify away from natural resource production, if it is possible to provide enough jobs for fast-growing populations, and whether or not Africa is about to undergo an East Asia-style boom. It recounts the history of colonialism on the continent, independence and economic stagnation, and the current African “renaissance.” Lastly, this article goes over the outlooks for the economies of East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa.

  1. What evidence is there for a boom of economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa? What four factors have been fueling this growth?
  2. What is meant by the “resource curse”? What three factors may lead to the resource curse? How may African nations enable economic growth beyond natural resource production?
  3. What are some of the ways that African countries may boost employment opportunities?
  4. What are the economic characteristics and outlooks of East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa?

Learning Objective: To understand the current state of African economic growth.