I. Introduction
Brief overview of unemployment payments
Importance of analyzing equity and efficiency in unemployment payments
II. Positive Economics Analysis of Unemployment Payments
Current state of unemployment payments in the United States
Statistical data on recipients, amounts, and duration
Economic impact of unemployment payments
III. Normative Economics Analysis of Unemployment Payments
Evaluation of the current system’s balance between equity and efficiency
Personal viewpoint on whether the system leans more towards equity or efficiency
Explanation and justification of viewpoint
IV. Proposal for Improvement
Identification of issues in the current system
Proposal of at least one specific policy to improve the system
Explanation of how the proposed policy could change the situation domestically
Potential global implications of the proposed policy
V. Conclusion
Recap of the analysis and proposed policy
Final thoughts on the tradeoffs between equity and efficiency in unemployment payments
Select a type of transfer payment and analyze the pros and cons of the current system in the United States or abroad and how the the system could be improved.
Examples of transfer payments would be Social Security, Medicare, unemployment payments, welfare programs, etc. There are many more, so don’t let this list limit you. You can write about almost any type of transfer payment you would like.
In writing the paper you must include the following areas:
Part 1: Use positive economics* to analyze the current situation.
Part 2: Use normative economics** to analyze the current situation. Do you believe the current situation comes down too much on the side of equity or efficiency? Explain.
Part 3: Come up with a plan for how you believe the situation could be improved. In this section, you will need to come up with at least one (1) specific policy that the government could implement and how you believe this policy will change the situation both domestically and potentially globally.
*Positive economics is an analysis of facts; what is.
**Normative economics uses economics to make value judgments about the situation.
Submit a report that is 4-5 pages long, typed double-spaced.
This paper is a formal, college-level paper which means that it should be written in that style. Do not use personal pronouns like “I,” “we,” “me,” “you,” etc. It should be well written with a introduction and conclusion and use appropriate citation.
