ARHOLIADAU EXAMINATIONS
Ionawr 2011 January 2011
EC11110 HOT TOPICS IN ECONOMICS
Answer TWO Questions
Time Allowed: ONE AND A HALF Hours
1. Attempt any one of the following:
Discuss the main stages of economic integration within the context of the European Union.
OR
Discuss the main causes of the recent global financial crisis and its impact on UK exports,
labour productivity and the overall economy.
2. Attempt any one of the following:
Define and explain what is meant by ‘mega-events’. Give examples and discuss how their
impacts should be assessed.
OR
Critically examine the implications for the UK of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
3. Consider the case for and against the introduction of top-up tuition fees in universities in
England and Wales and the effects of the new system. Outline briefly the main features of
the system of university student support and consider how this could be improved.
4. “The positive association between education and earnings is one of the most frequently
discussed relationships in empirical labour economics, and yet there is much uncertainty as
to the exact basis for this connection.” Discuss.
OR
Discuss the relationship between unemployment and self-employment. Which other
personal and environmental factors may increase the likelihood of entry in self-
employment?
5. Explain how the expected benefits to society of implementing the Stern Review proposals
can be shown to outweigh the current costs that they would impose on society.
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