What is the difference between takeovers and leveraged buyouts? Are either good for U.S. firms or the economy? Discuss in detail.

1. Explain the main components of Globalization and the cultural flows that it produces, using appropriate examples.

Is it really possible to predict changes in social trends far enough in advance to capitalize on them without significant risks? Justify your response in detail.

Short Response Question (30%)

Is the unipolar world more peaceful than a multipolar and/or bipolar world? Why or why not? What effects does unipolarity have on the unipole itself and on other states in the international system?

The population in a community with a polluting firm increases significantly from Period 1 to Period 2. As a result, marginal damage function changes from MD₁ = 3E to MD₂ = 4E. The marginal abatement cost function for the polluting firm, which is in a competitive industry, is MAC = 120 - 2E. The MAC function does not change between the two periods.

(a) How would you adjust an emission standard so that the socially desirable level of emissions exists in each period? Show necessary calculations and write down your suggestion clearly.

(b) If an emission tax policy is used (instead of an emission standard) to reduce emissions to the socially desirable level in each period, what should be the tax rate/s in each period? Show necessary calculations to justify your suggestion.

1) Describe a time you worked on a project that was successful but not worth the time spent on it. How does this illustrate the importance of understanding opportunity costs?

2) Have your purchase decisions ever changed when you discovered a good or service was more or less expensive than expected? Relate this to income & substitution effects. How might a change in price differ from a change in your income?

The United States has returned to a zero-interest rate policy in March 2020. Discuss the pros and cons of this policy. Should Australia opt for a zero-interest rate policy? Explain your answer.(the answer is expected to be around 200 words.)

Australia’s stimulus package to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic is nearly 15% of 2019 GDP. Notable initiatives include: JobKeeper Payment ($1,500/fortnight), JobSeeker Payment ($550/fortnight), and Coronavirus Supplement ($550/fortnight). Using the AD-AS framework, explain how these initiatives will help the economy deal with the economic fallout from COVID-19.(the answer is expected to be around 200 words.)

Why might interest rate cuts of March 2020 not have the desired effect on the Australian economy?(the answer is expected to be around 200 words.)

Current account and financial/capital account balances are supposed to net out as per theory. How did China manage to consistently maintain a positive current and financial/capital account surplus through the years?(the answer is expected to be around 200 words.)

Explain why government economic policies should not seek to push unemployment levels below the natural rate of unemployment.(the answer is expected to be around 200 words. )

The US Boskin Commission Report of 1996 advocated downward adjustment of the Consumer Price Index. Explain the rationale underpinning this advocacy using examples from Australia.(the answer is expected to be around 200 words.)

Satellite night-lights data might measure economic activity better than GDP. Comment.(the answer is expected to be round 200 words)

Identify and discuss the factors determining the rate of productivity growth in Australia.