The final exam is a series of three (one required, then you can choose 2 of the 3) short-answer essay questions. I am giving you access to this exam EARLY to do ample research and provide some stellar feedback. I expect at least 5+ sources on each question.
REQUIRED: Section 1 [50 points]: Answer Questions #1-Aim for two pages of content and 5 + sources. You must answer Question #1.
In conjunction with Chapter 7 on developing nations and the hurdles they must overcome, both economic and socioeconomic. Please select one low-income economy per the World Bank fact page. See the link that highlights the group of countries in this category. You can
click on a country name on the World Bank
page to get more information and do your research. You may also do research on the various issues, problems, and advantages the country you select faces. I don’t mind if you use AI to help with your research but you must properly cite all work.
https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups Links to an external site.
The low-income and lower-middle income countries are found on this link about halfway down; they include:
LOW-INCOME ECONOMIES ($1,135 OR LESS)
Afghanistan
Korea, Dem. People’s Rep
South Sudan
Burkina Faso
Liberia
Sudan
Burundi
Madagascar
Syrian Arab Republic
Central African Republic
Malawi
Togo
Chad
Mali
Uganda
Congo, Dem. Rep
Mozambique
Yemen, Rep.
Eritrea
Niger
Ethiopia
Rwanda
Gambia, The
Sierra Leone
Guinea-Bissau
Somalia
LOWER-MIDDLE INCOME ECONOMIES ($1,136 TO $4,465)
Angola
Jordan
Philippines
Algeria
India
Samoa
Bangladesh
Iran, Islamic Rep
São Tomé and Principe
Benin
Kenya
Senegal
Bhutan
Kiribati
Solomon Islands
Bolivia
Kyrgyz Republic
Sri Lanka
Cabo Verde
Lao PDR
Tanzania
Cambodia
Lebanon
Tajikistan
Cameroon
Lesotho
Timor-Leste
Comoros
Mauritania
Tunisia
Congo, Rep.
Micronesia, Fed. Sts.
Ukraine
Côte d’Ivoire
Mongolia
Uzbekistan
Djibouti
Morocco
Vanuatu
Egypt, Arab Rep.
Myanmar
Vietnam
Eswatini
Nepal
Zambia
Ghana
Nicaragua
Zimbabwe
Guinea
Nigeria
Haiti
Pakistan
Honduras
Papua New Guinea
International trade and exposure to foreign investment and relations are frequently seen as impossible for countries with limited resources. However, as we have stressed this term, trade is NOT based on absolute advantage but rather comparative. Even though a country appears to be challenged on various levels on the surface, it is not impossible to benefit from trade. Once you have selected a country of interest, research the country’s social, economic, political, etc., and climate. Summarize your findings and comment from a strictly international trade perspective on strategies you might suggest or find plausible to help this country enter the global trading arena. Creativity is rewarded here, and this will be based on data gathering and incorporating a significant degree of your own opinions. For instance, you might focus on how the country can access credit, loans, funding, direct investment, or social/political strategies to strengthen its credibility. There are no limits to your ideas here!
Links to help you get started: https://sdgpulse.unctad.org/trade-developing-economies/Links to an external site. Links to an external site.
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/boottradeopp22_e.htmLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.
https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/aldc2015d5_en.pdfLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.
Option B: You can also focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations. There are 17 goals with many sub-targets aimed at assisting development over the next decade for all countries at various levels including, poverty, health, education, gender equality, clean water, energy, economic growth, and development, etc., You may also choose one of these goals you feel the country of your choice could benefit from focusing on. Several studies within the SDG research hub focus on each goal and respective country.
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Google Scholar is your friend especially when it comes to proper citation. DO NOT just list a website as a reference. You can use MLA or APA just be consistent with citations. You will not receive full credit without 5+ proper sources.
Question 2 50 pts
Section 2: Choose TWO of the following FOUR questions to answer [25 points each for 50 points.] Aim for at least 3-4 paragraphs and 4+ sources for your answers. You only have to pick TWO questions but answer them thoroughly. I do not want half-baked answers to all questions; that is not the assignment.
How do international protection of intellectual property rights (think patents, copyrights, books, music, etc.) and eliminating barriers against trade in services pose more subtle and complex challenges than have been the case with barriers against trade in physical products? You can focus on one key area or a range of items in the intellectual property rights category.
See the link below for music as a starting point:
https://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/2015/creating_value_from_music.html Links to an external site.
Why is there a certain level of skepticism from more-developed nations (MDCs) regarding developing countries regarding globalization and trade? Do you agree or disagree with this level of skepticism?
Training and workforce development are huge attractors for manufacturers to locate in Alabama. What must our labor force be equipped with concerning skillsets? How do we provide the adequate skill sets employers demand? What are your suggestions for trade schools, universities, political figures, and communities? See the links below.
https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2024/05/governor-ivey-announces-meta-plans-to-build-800-million-next-generation-data-center-in-montgomery/ Links to an external site.
See the latest plan for Meta to build a Next Generation Data Center in Montgomery, do we have the skill set needed to provide the labor for this industry? How will these new jobs and industry creation differ from the automotive sector?
See the website below, which highlights the 17 targeted goals of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs-Sustainable Development. The website provides information on goals, subsets, targets, publications, and actions. This division and its sustainable development goals align with the content in Chapter 7, primarily but can be extended into other countries as well; it’s not just income-driven but development-driven.
https://sdgs.un.org/goals Links to an external site.
This question will give you the opportunity if you have a keen interest in “ecotourism” and how it can benefit a specific country, like Vietnam, then you can choose to research and write on that particular topic. This question will work best if you select one goal and a few sub-topics from that goal. You can choose a country to focus on or be generic in your answer.
For example, goal #1 is to “End Poverty in all Its Forms, Everywhere”. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal1 Links to an external site.
Under each goal are sub-topics, publications, key targets to help meet the goal, and actual events addressing the issue. I encourage you to pick one you have a genuine interest in helping achieve, and as you research the goal, envision how you might assist in that feat.
The mission is listed as:
The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) acts as the Secretariat for the SDGs, providing substantive support and capacity-building for the goals and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Island Developing States. DSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs.
