Resources for Your Persuasive Essay on Economic Ideologies

Here are the film resources:

For the Neoclassical/Neoliberal, Laissez Faire, Freemarket perspective:
Transcript of the film "free to choose" by Milton Friedman
The movie is available online here: free to choose video


For the Keynesian Regulation, Government Oversight perspective:
Transcript of the film "the Corporation"
the movie is available online here: Link to Corporation Movie.

Sheridan found an excellent site that has a long and lengthy list of the negative impacts of Wal-Mart: Link to Wake Up Wal-Mart.

Carly found an equally excellent site that argues that Wal-Mart does not negatively impact small business. "Has Wal-Mart buried Mom and Pop?"

Additional Resources for Persuasive Essay/Debate

As promised in class--here are two articles about the current economic crisis, specifically the problem with subprime loans/housing bubble/financial crisis. I really, really, really, really, really, wanted to assign them as homework, but I am trying give you a bit of a break on the homework. I highly recommend that you read these, and use them for your persuasive essays.

The Subprime Crisis was caused by the Community Reinvestement Act. (Government involvement caused the crisis--neoclassical perspective.)
The Subprime crisis had nothing to do with the community reinvestment act. (Lack of government involvement caused the crisis-keynesian perspective)

Here's an article from Multinational Monitor(keynesian perspective) that argues that neoclassical/neoliberal policies were to blame for the current recession: Wallstreet's Best Investement: Ten Deregulatory Steps to Financial Meltdown.

Here's an article from the Cato institute (neoclassical) arguing that it was government policy that got us into the current economic crisis. How did we get into this Financial Mess?

You will note that each side has a lengthy persuasive argument stating that the current recession happened for exactly opposite reasons! Your opinion on this MATTERS tremendously. People are actively fighting over the ideas in your head--and IDEAS are powerful. Don't just be an ideologue one way or the other. Seek the truth. Barstow.

Log 5.5 Classwork: Different Opinions on My Topic

See the class moodle page for instructions.

Log 5.3 and 5.4

Go to the class moodle page to complete log 5.3. (Click here to go to the Moodle page) Scroll down to copies of class assignments. I am also going to post log 5.4 on the final project, but it is not due until Tuesday. Looking over the homework I decided it was a bit too much for one weekend. However, if you want to work ahead, you can complete log 5.4 ahead of time.

Log 4.7 NAFTA Interior Monologue

What's an interior monologue?

1. Written in first person (you're not writing about your character for the debate--you are writing as if you are the character in the debate).

2. Create fictional, but historically accurate details about your characters life. Bring them to life, begin to empathize and understand their perspective.

3. Explain your character's view on NAFTA and free trade policies. What do they hope to accomplish in the conference?

Log 4.6 Classwork: Critically Evaluate WTO case examples

If you were not here on Monday here are the instructions that were on the board for this classwork
assignment.


1. Read the article and pick three examples of controversial cases that have come before the WTO.
Then, summarize the two different opinions/perspectives on the case example.

2. Give your opinion about each case example. Who do you agree with? Be sure to explain and defend your position with logic and a detailed explanation.