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. Have you ever wondered why is it that you can participate in cordial protests and the police can’t contain you however you can get fired for it? The answer for this question, as well as “why does Dominica has the lowest minimum wage in the OECS”, will be featured.
INQUIRY QUESTIONS
1. What really is economics and politics?
2. Why is politics and economics important or even relevant?
3. How do we rightly judge economic and political decisions in our country?
4. Why are the prices of imported and local products “expensive”.
5. Why can you protest without police interference yet still get fired for it?/ Why is Dominica’s minimum wage the lowest 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.
INQUIRY QUESTIONS
1. How are economics and politics connected to each other?
2. Why did the population in Dominica started to decrease in 1995-2000?
3. in 2015 the inflation rate was the lowest it ever been in Dominica. Why is this?
4. Why does the government have the right to make decision for the country?
5. Why are laws and regulation passed?
Noah
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 economist call “Opportunity Cost”.
Opportunity cost can be defined as what is dropped or given up to gain something else. For instance, a cave-man might be trying to decide whether he should hunt wild animals today or go fishing. If he decides to go hinting he is forgoing or giving up fishing along with the potential amount of fish he might have been able to catch.
Again, Mr. Jason, a single-parent is planning to take his two daughters out to the city where he plans to either go to the theater on the out-skirs of town or to an amusement park which happens to be very near-by. Let us suppose he chooses to take them to the theater then here the opportunity cost will be the benefits of being at the amusement park. It is now the job of the economist to answer questions like :why did he choose the theater over the park , was it truly beneficial to him and his daughters? Well one might argue that the theater was farther away so he must have had to pay additional cost which places him on the downside of the scale, but on the other hand one may raise the argument that Jason and his daughters may have had a higher utility or satisfaction from theatrical entertainment that park rides.{(total benefit>total cost)=gain}
Additional Questions
What is political unrest?
What are some of the things that brings about political unrest?
What is a referendum?
When was the last referendum passed in Dominica and what was the purpose of it?
What was the purpose of the last referendum passed in the UK?
What are political rights?
Why is it important for persons to know the political rights that they are entitled to?
What are civil rights?
Are civil rights just as important as political rights? Why?