MODULE ASSESSMENT ESSAYS

Please inform me asap which two you have chosen so i can give you further information. 2012 Semester B Essay titles You must choose two of these titles to write 1500 – 2000 word assessment essays for this module. 1. Is the desire of so many countries to join the European Union evidence of the success of European integration? 2. What is meant by “flexibility” in the labour market and what does it imply for unemployment in the EU? 3. Should the EU act to protect workers from social dumping? 4. What are the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy? How successful has the European Union been in achieving these objectives? 5. “On average each citizen contributes around 2 euros a week to finance the CAP. This is hardly a high price to pay for a healthy supply of food and a living countryside.” (Europa). How satisfactory is the present CAP? 6. “The move to a common currency will force flexibility on the labour market.” Discuss. 7. “The West European economy has become more dynamic through integration.” Discuss. 8. Does the ECB's policy of price stability conflict with the desire for economic growth? 9. Why does the possibility of asymmetric shocks cause difficulties for a monetary union? 10. Discuss the economic impacts of migration within the European Union. 11. German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has said that Greece would have better chances of economic recovery if it left the euro zone. "Greece's chances to regenerate itself and become competitive are surely greater outside the monetary union than if it remains in the euro area," Chancellor Angela Merkel made clear that she disagrees. Discuss the opposing views. 12. Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff, says it was a mistake to bring all the southern European countries into the common currency. He also argues that Greece should be granted a "sabbatical" from the euro. Discuss this proposition. 13. George Soros considers the German government's policies in the euro crisis to be disastrous. He warns of a vicious circle triggered by Chancellor Angela Merkel's strict austerity measures and pleads for more money to be pumped into the countries most plagued by the debt crisis. How far do you agree? 14. According to George Soros, “the new austerity guidelines for countries like Spain, Italy or Greece create a vicious circle. The deficit countries have to improve their competitive position vis-a-vis Germany, so they will have to cut their budget deficits and reduce wages. In a weak economy, profit margins will also be under pressure. This will reduce tax revenues and require further austerity measures, creating a vicious circle. Markets do not correct their own excesses. Either there is too much demand or too little. This is what the economist John Maynard Keynes explained to the world, except that he is not listened to by some people in Germany. But Keynes explained it very well -- when there is a deficiency of demand, you have to use public policy to stimulate the economy”. How far do you agree?