1a. Exports
How much: $58.7 billion (2012 est.)
What: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages
To whom: Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, UK, US, Netherlands
1b. Imports
How much: $658.9 billion (2012 est.)
What: machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals
To whom: Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, China
2. Exchange Rate
euros per US dollar:
0.7838 (2012)
0.7185 (2011)
0.755 (2010)
0.7198 (2009)
0.6827 (2008)
3. Immigration/Emigration
Immigration:
How much: 211,055 (2008)
From: Africa, European Union, Asia
I could not find much on Emigration from France but I did find that France has a net migration rate of 1.1 migrants/1,000 population (2012). Because the net migration rate is positive, there are more people immigrating to France than emigrating from France. By doing some quick calculation based on the net migration rate and the estimated number of immigrants in 2008, I found that the approximate number of emigrants in 2008 to be about 209,955.
4. Relations with other Countries
France has relatively good standing with all countries. France is a part of the United Nations. France was a part of World War II. France fought against nations such as Germany and Italy who are now very large trading allies. France does not seem to have too many foreign enemies.
References: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
News Summary: Crillon Hotel Flaunts Treasures Before Auction (4/23/13)
The famous hotel located in downtown Paris, Hôtel de Crillon, will be closing its doors for two years for a major renovation. Before they close however, the hotel will be auctioning off over three thousand of items from the hotel. Examples of items for sale include a couch that is priced at 2000 euros or about $3000, and a single bottle of wine that is priced at 7000 euros, or a little over $9000.
Understanding this auction from a supply and demand point of view sheds light on these outrageous prices. First of all, the Hôtel de Crillon is one of the most famous hotels in all of France. The hotel housed guests from Theodore Roosevelt to Madonna to Bill Clinton. The demand for these items is extremely high because of the great history and luxury of the hotel. In addition, most of these items are of a select few, meaning that there is a very, very limited supply of items to be sold. Both the high demand and low supply leads to extremely high prices, as seen in the couch and the bottle of wine.
In addition, GDP may be effected by this major renovation. There will definitely be an increase in investment because the hotel company will be spending millions of dollars to pay renovation companies to rebuild the hotel. At the conclusion of construction, consumption will increase because hundreds of people will be staying at the hotel spending money. Finally, net exports will also increase because of an increase in exports. I believe that people will travel to Paris from outside the country simply to see or to stay at the timeless hotel. Overall, I would expect an increase in GDP.
Article: http://www.france24.com/en/20130414-crillon-hotel-france-paris-concorde-auction-cesar
Understanding this auction from a supply and demand point of view sheds light on these outrageous prices. First of all, the Hôtel de Crillon is one of the most famous hotels in all of France. The hotel housed guests from Theodore Roosevelt to Madonna to Bill Clinton. The demand for these items is extremely high because of the great history and luxury of the hotel. In addition, most of these items are of a select few, meaning that there is a very, very limited supply of items to be sold. Both the high demand and low supply leads to extremely high prices, as seen in the couch and the bottle of wine.
In addition, GDP may be effected by this major renovation. There will definitely be an increase in investment because the hotel company will be spending millions of dollars to pay renovation companies to rebuild the hotel. At the conclusion of construction, consumption will increase because hundreds of people will be staying at the hotel spending money. Finally, net exports will also increase because of an increase in exports. I believe that people will travel to Paris from outside the country simply to see or to stay at the timeless hotel. Overall, I would expect an increase in GDP.
Article: http://www.france24.com/en/20130414-crillon-hotel-france-paris-concorde-auction-cesar
Thursday, April 18, 2013
"Reinventing the Bazaar" by John McMillan Chapter 4 Questions
1. I found the part about the trucker and his laptop to be very interesting. It thought that it was pretty funny that he had his laptop with him and he charged it by a lawn mower battery in a bowling bag. The point of this passage was about how new methods of information have completely evolved the trucking industry. I think it is remarkable how much technology is evolving and how it is changing the economy. Information now is so easy to get. I can walk into a store and do my own information retrieving by simply pulling up the product on my iPhone.
2. I believe that when the author was referring to transaction costs, he was referring to costs to the seller that don't necessarily apply to the good being sold. I feel that examples shed more light on the concept. The author gives the examples of things like "money back guarantee" or the buyer being able to trust the seller not to reuse the buyer's credit card information. Transaction costs are costs to the seller to make the buyer feel more safe in the transaction.
3. I feel that the sellers get the upper hand when information is not evenly distributed. When people are not informed that they can get the same good for a lower price, they will end up paying too much for the good. In addition, as the author said, people may end up buying a good that does not necessarily the perfect fit for them. I feel that uneven distribution of information hurts the consumer the most. On the other hand, when information is evenly distributed, people will seek out the lower prices, giving more business to the under cutter, which leaves the other businesses with higher prices at a loss.
2. I believe that when the author was referring to transaction costs, he was referring to costs to the seller that don't necessarily apply to the good being sold. I feel that examples shed more light on the concept. The author gives the examples of things like "money back guarantee" or the buyer being able to trust the seller not to reuse the buyer's credit card information. Transaction costs are costs to the seller to make the buyer feel more safe in the transaction.
3. I feel that the sellers get the upper hand when information is not evenly distributed. When people are not informed that they can get the same good for a lower price, they will end up paying too much for the good. In addition, as the author said, people may end up buying a good that does not necessarily the perfect fit for them. I feel that uneven distribution of information hurts the consumer the most. On the other hand, when information is evenly distributed, people will seek out the lower prices, giving more business to the under cutter, which leaves the other businesses with higher prices at a loss.
Abstract Paragraph
In neglecting tropical diseases and in setting drug prices
high, the pharmaceutical companies are responding to the system they are in:
they are reacting to the incentives of the marketplaces (pg 29). The manufacturers will designate a specific
price for each item (msrp) and the proshop seemed to follow this price (by
comparing the prices in the store to other golf shops). A competitive market means that alternatives
exist (pg 6). Some of the brands for
sale included Puma, Adidas, Titleist, Travis Mathew, Ping and Nike. Manufacturers have the power to set prices
and provide goods based on demand, but competition by many companies lead to
alternative options and lowered prices.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
A Fez of the Heart Article Response
1. The most interesting part of the article for me is the story of Mustafa Yildirim and his son, Halil. It was interesting to me because of the huge difference in lifestyle between a father and his son. The article goes into great detail about how Mustafa's tools included a plow while Halil's tools included a fax machine. If I were given information on the two of them, I would never be able to guess that they are even related, let alone father and son. This story really illustrates how Pomegranate has changed in such a short period of time.
2. This article very clearly illustrates how economics and culture interact. First of all, bikinis and nudity were very frowned upon in Pomegranate, and in some cases, people would be stoned for doing so. Now, the people of Pomegranate will use this for advertising and for making a profit in their business. Traditional cultural beliefs have been neglected to make a profit. Secondly, the fez is another example of the interaction between the economy and culture. Like the store clerk said, the fez was illegal for himself to wear, but not illegal for a tourist to wear. The people of Pomegranate will still practice traditional values but when it comes to making money, they will gladly allow tourists to wear the fez. It is remarkable to me how the traditional culture of Pomegranate has dwindled away in hopes of economic gain.
3. People are drawn to the Eiffel Tower simply because it is one of those famous landmarks that everyone wants to see. The entire city of Paris is a popular destination in France because it is known to be romantic, therefore many honeymoons and trips for couples involve Paris. Other popular destinations include magnificent ancient building or palaces as well as beautiful natural sites. These places are very popular because many people love the sites and will say that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
2. This article very clearly illustrates how economics and culture interact. First of all, bikinis and nudity were very frowned upon in Pomegranate, and in some cases, people would be stoned for doing so. Now, the people of Pomegranate will use this for advertising and for making a profit in their business. Traditional cultural beliefs have been neglected to make a profit. Secondly, the fez is another example of the interaction between the economy and culture. Like the store clerk said, the fez was illegal for himself to wear, but not illegal for a tourist to wear. The people of Pomegranate will still practice traditional values but when it comes to making money, they will gladly allow tourists to wear the fez. It is remarkable to me how the traditional culture of Pomegranate has dwindled away in hopes of economic gain.
3. People are drawn to the Eiffel Tower simply because it is one of those famous landmarks that everyone wants to see. The entire city of Paris is a popular destination in France because it is known to be romantic, therefore many honeymoons and trips for couples involve Paris. Other popular destinations include magnificent ancient building or palaces as well as beautiful natural sites. These places are very popular because many people love the sites and will say that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
France: Tourism
1. France welcomes 79 million tourists per year, making it the most visited country in the world. France also maintains the third largest income from tourism. France welcome tourists from all over the world, but from mostly more developed countries.
2. It is quite obvious that the most visited attraction in France is the Eiffel Tower. Paris, France is the most popular destination for those visiting France. Other visited attractions include St Tropez, Chamonix and the Palace of Versailles.
3. France's list of national parks include Vanoise, Port-Cros, Pyrénées, Cévennes, Écrins, Mercantour, Guiana Amazonian, Réunion, Guadeloupe and Calanques.
4. The majority of museums in France are art museums due to France's long history in music and art. Just a few of the museums in France include Musee du Louvre (Paris), Musee d'Orsay (Paris), Musee Ingres (Montauban, the Dordogne), Musee Toulouse-Lautrec (Albi, Languedoc) and Musee de la tapisserie de Bayeux (Bayeux, Normandy).
2. It is quite obvious that the most visited attraction in France is the Eiffel Tower. Paris, France is the most popular destination for those visiting France. Other visited attractions include St Tropez, Chamonix and the Palace of Versailles.
3. France's list of national parks include Vanoise, Port-Cros, Pyrénées, Cévennes, Écrins, Mercantour, Guiana Amazonian, Réunion, Guadeloupe and Calanques.
4. The majority of museums in France are art museums due to France's long history in music and art. Just a few of the museums in France include Musee du Louvre (Paris), Musee d'Orsay (Paris), Musee Ingres (Montauban, the Dordogne), Musee Toulouse-Lautrec (Albi, Languedoc) and Musee de la tapisserie de Bayeux (Bayeux, Normandy).
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Market Observation Paper: Kalamazoo Country Club Proshop
For my market
observation, I went to the Kalamazoo Country Club proshop. The Kalamazoo Country Club is a very highly
respected private club located on Whites Rd in Kalamazoo. For starters, it was a Sunday morning around
noon; it was approximately 40 degrees outside and partially hailing. This is obviously a market that is effective
by the weather so the weather conditions may have had an effect on the number
of market transactions. As I walked in,
I did not really notice any distinct smells, but I did notice that ESPN was playing
on a television near the entrance. The
woman working the proshop looked middle to upper twenties, wearing golf attire,
and she greeted me as I walked in. There
were two other customers in the proshop, who were talking to another man, the
golf pro. The golf pro was wearing a
nice sweater and dress pants, typical for golf attire on a cold April day. The customers consisted of a lady,
approximately 40 years old, dressed in a nice Adidas golf outfit, and her son,
approximately 15 years old was also well dressed in a Puma golf outfit. The two customers and the golf pro were
talking about the younger boy and his golf game, not necessarily the
merchandise in the store. A third
customer entered the store and when asked by the woman working what he was in
for, he expressed interest in purchasing a new pair of golf pants. The woman quickly directed him to wear they
have most of there pants as well as another smaller section of pants. The man
went to the fitting room to try on the pants and upon his return, the employee
asked how they fit and wanted to find him the right pants. The man was satisfied with the pants a
purchased them.
The
store seemed to be organized by one side displaying women’s clothing, another
side displaying men’s clothing and a corner was dedicated to youth golf clubs
and clothing. The cashier was located in
the corner next to the door and another door to the back was located across
from that (for employees only). Next to
that door was a unisex fitting room. Some
of the brands for sale included Puma, Adidas, Titleist, Travis Mathew, Ping and
Nike. The proshop offered a wide variety
of things, including all types of golf apparel (shirts, pants, socks, shoes,
pullovers, hats, gloves), casual clothing (including t-shirts branded with Red
Wings and Tigers logos), formal clothing (mostly ties and handkerchiefs) and
golf balls. Many of the shirts and hats
had the Kalamazoo Country Club logo stitched into them. Prices range from $2 for a bag of tees all
the way to $100 for a pullover or a pair of pants. A pair of Nike dress pants was priced at
$85. A Puma shirt was priced at
$60. A dozen of Titleist Pro-V1 golf
balls were priced at $50.
The
Kalamazoo Country Club proshop is a unique market to observe because of who
buys and who sells the merchandise.
Obviously, who sells the merchandise is Kalamazoo Country Club, who is
supplied the goods from manufacturers like Puma, Adidas, etc. Who sells is very different than other places
because it is only a small portion of the population. First of all, it would be rare to find anyone
who does not golf to shop there. In
addition, the Kalamazoo Country Club is a private club, meaning that most of
the golfers who shop there are members, meaning a very select few. The manufacturers of the goods determine
prices typically. The manufacturers will
designate a specific price for each item (msrp) and the proshop seemed to
follow this price (by comparing the prices in the store to other golf shops).
Thursday, April 11, 2013
France: Economy
Statistics
1. GDP- $2.58 trillion (2012 est)
2. GDP per capita- $35,500 (2012 est)
3. Life Expectancy- 81.46 years
4. Poverty Rate- 7.8% (2010)
5. Literacy Rate- 99%
6. Unemployment Rate- 10.3% (2012)
7. Inflation- 1.3% (2012 est)
Resources
1. Natural Resources- France is very limited in terms of coal, iron ores, bauxite and uranium. France does not have much petroleum either. On the other hand, France's soil is extremely rich, making growing food very profitable. Because of that, France is a very large exporter of foods. France borders the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea, all making water very accessible for agriculture.
2. Labor- 29.62 million people are employed in France (2012 est). The school life expectancy in France is 16 years old. According to wikipedia, "The French educational system is highly centralized, organized and ramified." Overall, I would say that France is comparable to the United States when it comes to labor and schooling.
3. Capital- France is very advanced technologically. France has approximately 45 million internet users as well as approximately 40 million telephone lines in use. In addition, France has many airports and ports for transferring goods. With that, France has approximately 30,000 km of railways used primarily for public transportation, but is also used for movement of goods. Again, I would say that France is very comparable to the United States in terms of capital. An advantage that France does have over the United States, however, is its close neighboring countries. France borders Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany, which makes imports and exports much easier than, let's say, the United States with only Canada and Mexico bordering. France's water connections as well as land connections make movements of goods very easy.
References: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_France
1. GDP- $2.58 trillion (2012 est)
2. GDP per capita- $35,500 (2012 est)
3. Life Expectancy- 81.46 years
4. Poverty Rate- 7.8% (2010)
5. Literacy Rate- 99%
6. Unemployment Rate- 10.3% (2012)
7. Inflation- 1.3% (2012 est)
Resources
1. Natural Resources- France is very limited in terms of coal, iron ores, bauxite and uranium. France does not have much petroleum either. On the other hand, France's soil is extremely rich, making growing food very profitable. Because of that, France is a very large exporter of foods. France borders the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea, all making water very accessible for agriculture.
2. Labor- 29.62 million people are employed in France (2012 est). The school life expectancy in France is 16 years old. According to wikipedia, "The French educational system is highly centralized, organized and ramified." Overall, I would say that France is comparable to the United States when it comes to labor and schooling.
3. Capital- France is very advanced technologically. France has approximately 45 million internet users as well as approximately 40 million telephone lines in use. In addition, France has many airports and ports for transferring goods. With that, France has approximately 30,000 km of railways used primarily for public transportation, but is also used for movement of goods. Again, I would say that France is very comparable to the United States in terms of capital. An advantage that France does have over the United States, however, is its close neighboring countries. France borders Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany, which makes imports and exports much easier than, let's say, the United States with only Canada and Mexico bordering. France's water connections as well as land connections make movements of goods very easy.
References: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_France
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
News Summary: Paris Hires Munching Sheep for Eco Lawn Mowers (4/9/13)
This news article does not necessarily describe an issue but more of a solution to a larger problem. Lawn mowers use gasoline, a valuable source of energy, and expel a large amount of pollution with each use. Paris has employed 4 black sheep to simply cut down the grass in a section of the city's gardens in northeastern Paris. This is simply a pilot project, but the people behind the project anticipate that it will become widely used.
From an economical standpoint, this could cause for many changes. If the sheep do a satisfying job in the pilot, we may find that more and more businesses will purchase sheep to "mow" their lawns. Lawn mower businesses may see a large decrease in demand, leading to a decrease in prices and a decrease in quantity. This could be extended to the petroleum industry who may also suffer, which is ultimately the goal, to become a world that relies less on gasoline. On the other hand, sheep farmers may see an increase in demand, leading to an increase in prices and quantity. The world is changing drastically due to recent efforts to reduce pollution and petroleum usage. These changes are drastically changing markets as well, and this is just another example of how the lawn mower market, the sheep market and the petroleum market are all being affected.
This situation has been brought on by the world-wide urge to lower petroleum use as well as pollution. The issue of lawn mower businesses losing money does not necessarily need a solution because the world is trying to lose its petroleum dependance. This pilot is a possible solution to some pollution and petroleum use, and it could lead to huge implications in the global market.
Article: http://www.france24.com/en/20130407-paris-hires-munching-sheep-france-lawnmowers-environment
From an economical standpoint, this could cause for many changes. If the sheep do a satisfying job in the pilot, we may find that more and more businesses will purchase sheep to "mow" their lawns. Lawn mower businesses may see a large decrease in demand, leading to a decrease in prices and a decrease in quantity. This could be extended to the petroleum industry who may also suffer, which is ultimately the goal, to become a world that relies less on gasoline. On the other hand, sheep farmers may see an increase in demand, leading to an increase in prices and quantity. The world is changing drastically due to recent efforts to reduce pollution and petroleum usage. These changes are drastically changing markets as well, and this is just another example of how the lawn mower market, the sheep market and the petroleum market are all being affected.
This situation has been brought on by the world-wide urge to lower petroleum use as well as pollution. The issue of lawn mower businesses losing money does not necessarily need a solution because the world is trying to lose its petroleum dependance. This pilot is a possible solution to some pollution and petroleum use, and it could lead to huge implications in the global market.
Article: http://www.france24.com/en/20130407-paris-hires-munching-sheep-france-lawnmowers-environment
Sunday, April 7, 2013
France: Elements of the Local Culture
1. Popular sports in France include football, judo, tennis and basketball. The national football and rugby teams are nicknamed "Les Bleus" after their team colors. Tony Parker is an NBA basketball player from France. Karim Benzema is another famous athlete from France (football).
2. During the 17th century, France was home to several famous composers including Marc-Antoine Charpentier, François Couperin, Michel-Richard Delalande, Jean-Baptiste Lully and Marin Marais. During the '90s, '00s and now, Daft Punk, Justice and Air are popular artist illustrating their own style of modern electronic music.
3. France is home to many different kinds of foods. The crème brûlée is one of the most famous desserts native to France. France is also well known for its many varieties of cheeses. Typical meals are very similar to American meals in terms of what is served (burgers, sandwiches, fries, pizza, steak). Alcohol is much more common in France, and when asking for a water from a restaurant, you will be served sparkling water.
4. Roman Catholicism is the most predominant religion in France. The French Revolution created a large change in the church with its de-Christianization campaign. The French government no longer keeps statistics on religious beliefs among the people of France.
5. National holidays in France include... New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day/Labour Day, Victory in Europe Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day, Assumption of Mary to Heaven, All Saints' Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day. A lot of these holidays are also celebrated in America. Many of these holidays are associated with catholicism.
6. Movies are a huge part of the culture of France. France is home to the famous Cannes Film Festival. Recent popular films include Of Gods of Men, The Artist and most recently Intouchables. Famous people of the business include actress Juliette Binoche (winner of the Best Actress Award), director Mathiew Amalric (winner of the Best Director Award) and actor Jean Dujardin (winner of the Best Actor Award).
7. Popular News Sources:
France 24 (http://www.france24.com/en/)
The Local (http://www.thelocal.fr)
8. Forums for Expatriates
Allo' Expat France (http://www.alloexpat.com/moving_to_france_forum/)
British Expat (http://britishexpat.com/expatforum/france/index.php)
9. The French Republic is a semi-presidential republic. The republic has been traditionally very democratic. The government is very similar to America. The current president of the French Republic is François Hollande (elected in 2012).
2. During the 17th century, France was home to several famous composers including Marc-Antoine Charpentier, François Couperin, Michel-Richard Delalande, Jean-Baptiste Lully and Marin Marais. During the '90s, '00s and now, Daft Punk, Justice and Air are popular artist illustrating their own style of modern electronic music.
3. France is home to many different kinds of foods. The crème brûlée is one of the most famous desserts native to France. France is also well known for its many varieties of cheeses. Typical meals are very similar to American meals in terms of what is served (burgers, sandwiches, fries, pizza, steak). Alcohol is much more common in France, and when asking for a water from a restaurant, you will be served sparkling water.
4. Roman Catholicism is the most predominant religion in France. The French Revolution created a large change in the church with its de-Christianization campaign. The French government no longer keeps statistics on religious beliefs among the people of France.
5. National holidays in France include... New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day/Labour Day, Victory in Europe Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day, Assumption of Mary to Heaven, All Saints' Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day. A lot of these holidays are also celebrated in America. Many of these holidays are associated with catholicism.
6. Movies are a huge part of the culture of France. France is home to the famous Cannes Film Festival. Recent popular films include Of Gods of Men, The Artist and most recently Intouchables. Famous people of the business include actress Juliette Binoche (winner of the Best Actress Award), director Mathiew Amalric (winner of the Best Director Award) and actor Jean Dujardin (winner of the Best Actor Award).
7. Popular News Sources:
France 24 (http://www.france24.com/en/)
The Local (http://www.thelocal.fr)
8. Forums for Expatriates
Allo' Expat France (http://www.alloexpat.com/moving_to_france_forum/)
British Expat (http://britishexpat.com/expatforum/france/index.php)
9. The French Republic is a semi-presidential republic. The republic has been traditionally very democratic. The government is very similar to America. The current president of the French Republic is François Hollande (elected in 2012).
Thursday, April 4, 2013
"Reinventing the Bazaar" by John McMillan Chapter 1 Questions
1. John McMillan goes into great detail about what defines a market. "A market for something exists if there are people who want to buy it and people who want to sell it" (p. 5). He does mention that this definition does not go deep enough into what a market is. McMillan later says this... "A definition of a market transaction, then, is an exchange that is voluntary: each party can veto it, and (subject to the rules of the marketplace) each freely agrees to the terms. A market is a forum for carrying out such exchanges" (p. 6).
2. I think that there is a huge spectrum where people stand when it comes to their thoughts of the market. Many people may distrust markets most likely because they did not feel satisfied with an investment made. Trust in the market is huge, and a bad experience can easily burn that bridge. I feel that people that distrust non-market action use other societies as examples. I think that people will look at other societies with very small, weak markets, look at their way of life, and feel that it is very basic and not very pleasurable. For me, I feel that non-market action would put society at a large disadvantage in advancing technology. I think that markets are extremely necessary and, without question, irreplaceable for the advancement of technology and for the future of society.
3. I am not entirely familiar with the market today so this may not be entirely true. From what I can remember from my high school history class, I believe that the government outlawed monopolies after the strong monopolies of the early 20th century. Monopolies can be very detrimental to the economy because monopolies will, with ease, drive small businesses out of business. I believe that the government has several laws in place to avoid a single power in the economy. These laws are in place to keep the economy going strong. Another "rule" could be copyright laws associated with downloading online music. Without these laws, music would be (and still is) illegally downloaded and artists would lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. $1.29 may not seem like too much money for the artist to be missing out on, but if a million people illegally download a song, the artist is losing $1.3 million. We could find that becoming an artist is less lucrative and music could no longer be made (now that's a little extreme but artists are losing a lot of money).
2. I think that there is a huge spectrum where people stand when it comes to their thoughts of the market. Many people may distrust markets most likely because they did not feel satisfied with an investment made. Trust in the market is huge, and a bad experience can easily burn that bridge. I feel that people that distrust non-market action use other societies as examples. I think that people will look at other societies with very small, weak markets, look at their way of life, and feel that it is very basic and not very pleasurable. For me, I feel that non-market action would put society at a large disadvantage in advancing technology. I think that markets are extremely necessary and, without question, irreplaceable for the advancement of technology and for the future of society.
3. I am not entirely familiar with the market today so this may not be entirely true. From what I can remember from my high school history class, I believe that the government outlawed monopolies after the strong monopolies of the early 20th century. Monopolies can be very detrimental to the economy because monopolies will, with ease, drive small businesses out of business. I believe that the government has several laws in place to avoid a single power in the economy. These laws are in place to keep the economy going strong. Another "rule" could be copyright laws associated with downloading online music. Without these laws, music would be (and still is) illegally downloaded and artists would lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. $1.29 may not seem like too much money for the artist to be missing out on, but if a million people illegally download a song, the artist is losing $1.3 million. We could find that becoming an artist is less lucrative and music could no longer be made (now that's a little extreme but artists are losing a lot of money).
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
"Why Did Human History Unfold..." by Jared Diamond Questions
a. Diamond talks about the drastic differences in the overall human population and the differences in evolving technologies over the last 13,000 years. Diamond gives his thoughts about geographical differences among varying societies. He explains that most people would like to think that these differences originated in biological differences, while he explains how this simply is not true. He goes into detail about why he thinks Europeans were dominant in colonizing various continents (more described in part b). Diamond's key points are these important factors (b) that can be used to describe how societies differ.
b. Diamond emphasizes that the differences in societies around the world is not biological, but more geographical. Diamond explains that the Europeans success in making technological advances started with the ability of wild plants and animals to be domesticated. In addition, the east/west axis of Europe provided for easy spread of these domestication due to little variations in climate. Diamond also explains that this led to "the rise of human population numbers, population densities, and food surpluses, which in turn contributed decisively to the development of epidemic infectious diseases, writing, technology, and political organization." These factors lead, obviously to different societies having varying amounts of power. In addition, isolation from other societies, like in Tasmania, will limit technological advances. Information about tools and techniques were/are shared between cultures, leading to a faster rate of technological advancement.
c. It is obvious that the effects from the factors described in (b) are still being felt today. Europe has become very technologically advanced (and areas colonized by Europeans) while other areas of the world suffer technologically. For example, we live in a society today where food is mass produced by a small percentage of the population so that the rest of the people can use there time to provide other services to society. Food is a necessity that is greatly taken for granted. We simply expect the farmers of society to provide food for us. In other societies of the world, food does not come as easily. In tribes, for example, hunting and gathering is a way of life. This is a much different society where each day, tasks are done for survival, rather than for research, work, play, leisure, etc. The economies today differ greatly across the world, and these differences are a result of the factors described in (b).
b. Diamond emphasizes that the differences in societies around the world is not biological, but more geographical. Diamond explains that the Europeans success in making technological advances started with the ability of wild plants and animals to be domesticated. In addition, the east/west axis of Europe provided for easy spread of these domestication due to little variations in climate. Diamond also explains that this led to "the rise of human population numbers, population densities, and food surpluses, which in turn contributed decisively to the development of epidemic infectious diseases, writing, technology, and political organization." These factors lead, obviously to different societies having varying amounts of power. In addition, isolation from other societies, like in Tasmania, will limit technological advances. Information about tools and techniques were/are shared between cultures, leading to a faster rate of technological advancement.
c. It is obvious that the effects from the factors described in (b) are still being felt today. Europe has become very technologically advanced (and areas colonized by Europeans) while other areas of the world suffer technologically. For example, we live in a society today where food is mass produced by a small percentage of the population so that the rest of the people can use there time to provide other services to society. Food is a necessity that is greatly taken for granted. We simply expect the farmers of society to provide food for us. In other societies of the world, food does not come as easily. In tribes, for example, hunting and gathering is a way of life. This is a much different society where each day, tasks are done for survival, rather than for research, work, play, leisure, etc. The economies today differ greatly across the world, and these differences are a result of the factors described in (b).
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