BECO 4342 Contemporary Economic Issues  

The third quarter of the twentieth century was a golden age for labor in the advanced industrial countries, characterized by rising incomes, relatively egalitarian wage structures, and reasonable levels of job security. The subsequent quarter-century has seen less positive performance along a number of these dimensions. This period has instead been marked by rapid globalization of economic activity that has brought increased insecurity to workers.

Explores the growing fair trade movement, which attempts to help small farmers in developing countries secure better prices and promote sustainability. Offers varying perspectives on how beneficial fair trade is for developing countries, its potential impact on global warming, and if fair trade certification should be expanded to large corporations. Examines the relative benefits of fair trade and free trade, and discusses how the limitations of fair trade can be improved.

Classification of economies -- Rich and poor -- People -- Education -- Health -- Economy -- Environment -- Statistics

"Thirty-six 30 minute lectures on 6 discs in 3 containers
Course guide book including lecture outlines and notes, a time line, glossary, biographical notes and bibliography accompanies DVDs
Contents pt. 1. Lecture 1. The world economy since 1950 ; Lecture 2. The U.S. in the world economy--1960-1995 ; Lecture 3. The U.S. economy resurgent ; Lecture 4. Europe--from catch-up to jobless growth ; Lecture 5. The single European market ; Lecture 6. The rise of the Euro ; Lecture 7. The economy of the Soviet Union ; Lecture 8. Transitions from communism to markets ; Lecture 9. Japan's economic miracle ; Lecture 10. When Japan's bubble economy burst ; Lecture 11. Government versus market in East Asia ; Lecture 12. East Asia's Tigers--restore the roar? -- pt. 2. Lecture 13. China's gradualist economic reforms ; Lecture 14. China's challenges for continued growth ; Lecture 15. India and the license Raj ; Lecture 16. India's turn toward market economics ; Lecture 17. Inherited institutions in the Middle East ; Lecture 18. The curse of oil wealth in the Middle East ; Lecture 19. Africa's geography and history ; Lecture 20. Time for optimism on Africa? ; Lecture 21. Latin America and import substitution ; Lecture 22. Markets or populism in Latin America? ; Lecture 23. Globalization in goods and services ; Lecture 24. Globalization of capital flows -- pt. 3. Lecture 25. The foreign exchange market ; Lecture 26. Migration--senders and recipients ; Lecture 27. Global population growth ; Lecture 28. World poverty--growth or redistribution ; Lecture 29. Global food markets--The supply-demand race ; Lecture 30. An urbanizing world ; Lecture 31. Women in the global economy ; Lecture 32. Improving governance, fighting corruption ; Lecture 33. Foreign aid--promises and limits ; Lecture 34. The multilaterals--World Bank, IMF, WTO ; Lecture 35. The economics of global climate change ; Lecture 36. Globalization and convergence"

"This Handbook offers an unrivalled overview of current research into how globalization is affecting the external relations and internal structures of major cities in the world. By treating cities at a global scale, it focuses on the 'stretching' of urban functions beyond specific place locations, without losing sight of the multiple divisions in contemporary world cities."

Doubts about the ability of industrialized countries to continue to provide a sufficient level of retirement benefits to a growing number of retirees has fueled much recent debate and inspired a variety of recommendations for reform. Few major reforms, however, have actually been implemented. In The Political Future of Social Security in Aging Societies, Vincenzo Galasso argues that the success of any reform proposals depends on political factors rather than economic theory.

Several articles explore the multiple issues surrounding Social Security, its financial impact, societal costs, and its future.