Rationale
The objective of this essay is to create and present questions centered around the theories and principles of politics and economics, and analyse and observe the symbiotic relationship, between the two. Furthermore, the essay will help facilitate critical thinking while asking questions which have been created by our fellow group-mates, in an attempt to bolster our understanding of these topics. Additionally, the objectives are also aimed at forming questions so that they are stated as clear, concrete, and coherent as possible.
Topic Description
Ashfred
Imagine living in a world where the government would hire persons to assess the financial standings of a country, and predict whether the current trend of decision making is positively or negatively influencing said economy. Also imagine having a principle that, in theory and practice, influences people through the exercise of power; i.e. the government (Tejvan Pettinger: economicshelp.org). Well this world is the world that you’re living in today and that’s what happens when one fuses politics and economics.
As one complete idea, politics and economics don’t have a joint definition, however, the relationship between the two have proven to be seamless and coherent, thus, it would be preferred to have one with the other. Despite the stigma that economics primarily deals with the finances of a country, and politics deals with the affairs of the government, it’s often misleading and misinformed, therefore, I intend on answering the questions: “what really is economics and politics?” throughout this essay.
My target audience are tertiary level education students, as well as young adults. The reason for selecting this type of audience, is simply because they are; or they are approaching the age of universal suffrage, and I believe that this essay would assist them in becoming more informed, learnt, and aware of their rights as citizens. This will also give them a clearer understanding of the concepts, and the ability to critically analyze the decisions of the government, and society. This will then bring me to my second question: “why is politics and economics important or even relevant”?
Generally, my span of knowledge about the topics is narrow, however, I am interested and fascinated by what I’ve already been expose too, and am anxious to acquire more knowledge and interpret it to my audience. Hence, I will be addressing the question: “how do we rightly judge economic and political decisions in our country”?
Also when walking through the supermarkets and shopping Centre’s of Roseau, it’s almost impossible not to hear persons complain about the prices of items and its quality, and often compare them with that of well-known superior supermarkets abroad. Sometimes persons even ask the question “why are the locally made products this expensive”? Consequently, I aim at tackling why these prices are the way they are, and what causes it.
Furthermore, we have recently been seeing quite a few demonstrations and protests, more than we have seen in the past 15 years, led by the opposition party. A lot of these protests may address different areas where persons believe the government is lacking; i.e poor usage of tax revenue. This question will look at economic problems the public may have with the government; mainly answering the question ,“why does Dominica has the lowest minimum wage in the OECS”?
Breidy
Economics is how society is able to allocate resources and use them to best of their ability. I think economics is very important because it shows us how people use resources to get through their daily life. If we have to look back at the maroon, how they were able to use what was available in the large forest to survive, we will be able to see economics . The maroons were able to utilize the trees to construct houses ,canoes and even weaponry; which they then used to resist the slave masters. The maroons left the plantation because they could no longer cope or deal with the slave system. They were tired and angry at the way in which they were treated.
Politics refers to the operation of a constitutional system of government and publicly defined institutions and procedures. Politics to me is how members of the government make decisions that benefit or affect a country. The government sets laws and regulation that protect the members of society. To me Marcus Garvey was a very inspiring politician because he wanted people to stand up for themselves. He also showed me that you can do anything if you work hard and put your all into it. Garvey was able to motive black all around the Caribbean and showed them that they have the power to change. Politicians are supposed to motivate their people as well as to provide them with the basic needs like education, health care and protection.
The audience targeted would be high school and college student who study history and economics because they’re required to learn about the different politicians from the Caribbean as well as they role and achievements. Also how the maroons were able to use resources in the environment for survive. I will like to research on these two topics because I want to know how different actions and decisions has an impact on the people both positive and negative. I want people to stop thinking that economics and politics are boring topics and get interested in learning more about them.
Noah
Economics
Economics is the study of how individuals think and make rational decisions under conditions of scarcity. since the beginning of time, humans have had to take various actions and think critically about their wants and how to obtain them and through such decisions they experienced what economists call “Opportunity Cost”. Opportunity cost can be defined as what is dropped or given up to gain something else. Like politics, the study of the economy (economics) are based upon certain assumptions, theories and principles, and they have been tested and evaluated over hundreds of years by people who we refer to as economist.
This essay will help people ranging from teens to grown-adults as it will stimulate growth and further understanding on the study topic. This study will particularly interest individuals who are studying economics at the Dominica State college as it is definitely helps in asking and comprehend the requirements of the questions. This topic for me was particularly interesting for me as an economics major at the college I was able to pose and answer tough question in my field of study and I intend to learn if economics success has been an achieved goal in Dominica.
Politics
Politics can be defined as the activities accompanied with a particular set of principles and beliefs with the governance of a country of state. From the creation of this project I intend to reach out to individuals with questions about politics and their profession. This perhaps would have been students who were looking forward to studying political science at the Dominica state College or perhaps it may be grown adult who wants some perspective on what they are in for if they choose start a political career.
Fundamentally, systems were designed with noble intentions to reach out to the publics and their needs and interest in accordance with traditional morality and decency. However, today in countries all over the world these agendas has been brushed aside by power-seeking, money squandering, criminals dress as friendly, caring persuasive individuals whose real objectives are to their wallets . People who are systematically elected into an administrative board of governance over a country are deemed as politicians, these politicians have very bad names in the eyes of the public but not all of them are bad. Like John Steinbeck said “power doesn’t corrupt. Fear corrupts. Perhaps the fear of a loss of power” Here he made a very interesting point that power itself does not corrupt but the fear of losing it may drive a man to do unprecedented things.
INQUIRY QUESTIONS
Ashfred
What really is economics and politics?
This question will look at economics and politics in depth to ensure the audience understand the questions to come.
Why is politics and economics important or even relevant?
The aim of this is to point out to the audience the necessity of two concepts in our country, and to also understand why they’re there.
How do we rightly judge economic and political decisions in our country?
The purpose of this is teach or instruct people on how to look at political and economic situations in their country, and judge it in a more informed way.
Why are the prices of local products “more expensive” than the imported?
Persons will understand this much clearer, and perhaps may even be given possible solutions to this problem, or see if it’s a “normal thing”.
Why is Dominica’s minimum wage the lowest in the OECS?
The audience, especially the minimum wage working class, will get further details why this is so. It will also be compared with that of our country’s, and ways this can be corrected in ours.
Breidy
How are economics and politics connected to each other?
This will help the audience see how politics and economics work together or go along hand in hand.
Why does the government have the right to make decision for the country?
The Government has a right to make decisions for the country, because it with make the populace understand what they do.
Why do they pass laws and regulations?
We will be able to know why this laws and regulation are passed also what are really laws.
Why did the population in Dominica started to decrease in 1995-2000?
They will have a greater understanding on major events that happened that affected the economy.
In 2015 the inflation rate was the lowest it ever been in Dominica. Why is this?
The audience will find out more about the inflation rate in Dominica what is being done to keep it law.
Noah
Would Dominica be better of both economically and politically if it had remained a colony of britain ?
Readers would be able to attain important information on the british effect on Dominica as well it progress and development over the recent years.
Why do politicians keep some information verboten ?
The audience would be able to understand the importance of information from a political and economical realm and acknowledge reasons why this is done.
Why don’t developing countries like Dominica follow in the footsteps of developed countries with larger economies ?
A greater understanding of how economic systems work will be built in the audience’s minds and they will be able think more rationally why decisions like these are not being made.
Why can’t politicians be efficient at their profession without having perspective on the economy ?
The audience will become well aware of the importance of both economic and political studies not only for government positions, but in everyday life.
How important is a country’s balance of payment ?
The audience will become more educated of the consequences of an overburdened economy battling its national debt and be able to share the information they learnt with others.
DH Elements
Breidy
The digital element for the final project that we will like to produce will be a knowledge site. This will include a timeline at the entry page. As primary sources, I would include pictures of certain key figures, as well as text. I would also like to conduct interviews with different persons.The platform will be easy to use yet creative on its own way. The audience would be able to easily access information and use it for answer any research question.
Noah
This project will consist of one digital frameworks for the site. It will be based on the contents of a knowledge site powered and designed by a platform such as WordPress or Omeka. This was the most appropriate since the five questions would spark the interest of anyone who loves critical thinking, learning new information and economics and political perspectives. Individual who are seeking or have a degree in the study may find the contents on this site very informative and enlightening. Additionally, question like these are not widely targeted on the internet and through the commentary from the audience I intend to further develop the information and sources while maintaining a certain level of interaction with them. I also would include an oral history segment from interviewed economist, politicians and if possible, scholars.
Ashfred
In my perspective, my project is one which will not be heavily curated or visualized, nonetheless, these features will be used in order to allow my audience to process the information in a way that’s appropriate or suitable for them. The basic elements that’ll be dominantly used are text, audio and videos. Hence the reason why I have chosen that my section on the project will be a “semi-linear, customizable narrative that includes text, images, audio, and/or video”, with components of a timeline. This element allows me to display my project an essay, but not the normal traditional essay type questions. My aim with this project is that it’d be effective and effectually communicated to my audience, and I don’t believe the regular 1,000-1,500 word essays do that, as the people of today practice extensive instead of intensive reading. Therefore, the different features and elements will give them a variety of ways in which they can view and process the information.
In conclusion, the group has decided incorporate a combination of a knowledge site, a timeline ,and a semi-linear, customizable narrative site, as the elements we will pursue in our DH project.
