New Due Date: Friday, April 21
Macro Policy Analysis Paper Assignment (SEE PAGES 11 AND 12 IN YOUR PACKET FOR EXAMPLES OF USING THE R-I-A-O MODEL):
You will be required to complete one macro policy analysis paper during the semester. You should choose a current macro policy issue. You might look at newspapers, magazines, the internet, etc. to give you some ideas. You can not analyze a policy that is analyzed in the packet, that we discussed in class, or has been analyzed in detail before. Therefore, minimum wage laws, increases (decreases) in the income tax, a head tax and drug laws are off limits. I reserve the right to make other topics off limits as well. You need to do a MACRO topic but almost any economic law or regulation has macro consequences so don't worry too much about that. Make sure you OK your policy issue with me before beginning the assignment by either talking to me in person or emailing me.
THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PAPER! I do not want you to tell me what others have said. This is an analysis paper. I want YOUR analysis. If you do cite an article, etc. make sure you reference it at the end of your paper. You should not have many references since this will be your analysis, not the analyses of others!!
Your assignment should include:
- What is the policy issue/rule being discussed? This should be relatively short. Just enough information to make it clear what the policy is.
- Construct and develop your argument – in other words, provide your analysis of the issue by using a thorough and logical economic argument by incorporating the R-I-A-O model (make sure you state any assumptions you make).
- You should include an analysis of one intended and one unintended outcome of the policy. No more, no less. Make sure you show your analysis for both.
- Your conclusion -- is it a good or bad policy and why?
What I will be looking for is the logic to your arguments and that you use economic analysis and critical thinking in your arguments (including the R-I-A-O model – that is, explain carefully any assumptions you are making to come to your conclusion. Again, make sure your analysis is logical and uses the tools economists use in analyzing an issue.
The paper should be typed, double-spaced (no smaller than 10 pt.) and should include any references you use. The length of the paper should be about two pages long (should not exceed 2 pages - however, if you want to include a graph or other exhibits - you can go to three pages). Write out your argument in paragraph form - do not use the tables that I have provided you to help you understand the R-I-A-O model. Ten points will be deducted from your paper if these directions are not followed.
Check your spelling and your sentences. Do they make sense? Etc. Don't be sloppy. I will be looking at how you are communicating your analysis to me.