Mrs Hyde's Business and Economics Blog: February 2013

Friday 22 February 2013

PSHEE 212

212 - why not work?

For Year 11 tutors teaching the AQA Personal Economics syllabus.
Here is the video to complement revision activity 2.1.2.:

PSHEE 211

211 - why work?

For Year 11 tutors teaching the AQA Personal Economics syllabus.
Here is the video to complement revision activity 2.1.1.:

Wednesday 13 February 2013

A2 Macroeconomics: Producer subsidies for an infant industry

This is a handy example of two concepts for international trade. An infant industry is one that has recently developed. If we think it has potential, we might be able to protect it in some way. Tariffs, quotas and similar restrictions are not the answer, because the industry is likely to be in its infancy all over the world.

Graphene, an infant industry ...

This is a very thin material that conducts electricity very well, and is virtually indestructable. Its potential for the computing industry is judged to be enormous: it is cheap and may well produce a laptop the size of an earphone.

... being given a producer subsidy

The EU is expected to give a Euro2 billion subsidy towards the development of graphene applications. Some of this will be in Aachen, and some in Manchester, and some in other places. China already has 2000 patents on the application of graphene, the USA is said to be not far behind. Here is the video of the winners of a Euro41 million subsidy in Aachen, part of the Euro2 billion producer subsidy, explaining the potential of the material:

Tasks:
Explain the argument for protecting an infant industry.
Discuss the effects of a producer subsidy on graphite on the EU economy.

Monday 4 February 2013

The Thatcher Years

AS Government and Politics: Watch the Thatcher Years

A super documentary in four parts. Watch two episodes this week and make some notes. What were the main issues? Who was involved? What conflicts occured? Watch two episodes next week and do the same.

1 - 1979: Britain's first woman Prime Minister