Discussions | ECO 203 Principles of Macroeconomics | Ashford University

Dicussion 1:

As a high school player at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, LeBron James was already one of the best basketball players in the country. He had been offered numerous scholarships and was considering attending college at Ohio State University, the University of North Carolina, Duke University, Michigan State University, or the University of Kentucky. But after graduating high school, James decided to directly enter the NBA because likely the opportunity cost of college was simply too high. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, signing a three-year contract worth almost $13 million, with an option for a fourth year at $5.8 million. Had he decided to attend college instead, James would have incurred an opportunity cost of at least $19 million in forgone income to earn a four-year college degree.

Based on LeBron James’s story, respond to the following components:

What is the opportunity cost? Define the opportunity cost in your words.
What was the opportunity cost for LeBron James when he determined to directly enter the NBA?
Would you have skipped college if your opportunity cost had been that high? Explain.

Your initial post should be a minimum of 300 words.

Discussion 2:

Economics studies how society allocates its scarce productive resources (land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial talent). Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 2 in the course text, especially examining Sections 2.2 through 2.4, and respond to the following components:

Briefly describe the types of economic systems. What is the United States’ economic system and what are the characteristics of this economy?
What economic role or functions does the U.S. government conduct regularly?
Why is the U.S. government’s economic role important or unimportant for the U.S. economy? Discuss whether you favor a larger or smaller government role in the economy.

Your initial post should be a minimum of 300 words.

Continue to order Get a quote

July 1, 2023

9.1 The United States in the International Economy

1) Following the tariff imposed on Chinese tires, some businesspeople correctly argued that the U.S. tariff would result in

A) China retaliating by raising tariffs on some U.S. exports.

B) China halting the sale of all products in the United States.

C) U.S. firms never being able to meet the demand for U.S.-produced tires.

D) the government demanding price cuts from U.S. tire manufacturers.

2) Workers in industries protected by tariffs and quotas are likely to support these trade restrictions because

A) they do not want to offend their employers who want them.

B) politicians lobby to convince workers the restrictions will make them better off.

C) they believe the restrictions will protect their jobs.

D) they don't understand that the restrictions will threaten their jobs.

3) The intention of the U.S. tariff on Chinese tires was to

A) protect jobs in the U. S. tire industry.

B) protect infant industries in tire U.S. tire market.

C) insure that Chinese tires meet U.S. quality and safety standards.

D) save the government money by restricting the sale of more expensive Chinese-made tires.

4) In the 1930s, the United States charged an average tariff rate ________. Today, the rate is ________.

A) of 100 percent; 20 percent

B) above 50 percent; less than 1.5 percent

C) of less than 10 percent; over 40 percent

D) of 17 percent; 33 percent

5) A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on

A) exports.

B) services.

C) imports.

D) luxury items.

6) Goods and services bought domestically but produced in other countries are referred to as

A) exports.

B) imports.

C) transfer payments.

D) foreign consumption.

7) Exports are domestically produced goods and services

A) sold to other countries.

B) sold to the government.

C) sold at home.

D) which are used to produce other goods and services.

8) When Roxanne, a U.S. citizen, purchases a designer dress from Barneys of New York that was made in Milan, the purchase is

A) both a U.S. and an Italian import.

B) a U.S. import and an Italian export.

C) a U.S. export and an Italian import.

D) neither an export nor an import for either country.

9) When BMW, a German company, purchases a welding machine that was made in Toronto, the purchase is

A) both a German and a Canadian import.

B) a German import and a Canadian export.

C) a German export and a Canadian import.

D) neither an export nor an import for either country.

10) Which of the following statements about the importance of trade to the U.S. economy is true?

A) Since 1950, both exports and imports have steadily decreased as a fraction of U.S. gross domestic product.

B) Overall, about 80 percent of U.S. manufacturing jobs depend directly or indirectly on exports.

C) The United States is the second largest exporter in the world.

D) The U.S. economy is highly dependent on international trade for growth in its gross domestic product.