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The Legacy of the Olympics: Economic Burden or Boon?
Do the economic benefits of major sporting events such as the Olympics or the World Cup outweigh the expected costs? Using fundamental economic terms, discover the explicit and implicit costs and benefits for countries that host these...
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Higher Gasoline Prices: Temporary or Time to Buy a Hybrid?
Gasoline prices garner a lot of attention in the United States. What can explain a temporary decline in gasoline consumption, and how do gasoline prices spur innovation in the energy and automotive industries?
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Wait, Is Saving Good or Bad? The Paradox of Thrift
Could saving really harm the economy? Discover the paradox of thrift and how decreases in consumption can affect economic recovery and various markets and industries.
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Traditional Versus Shadow Banking
Here is a detailed breakdown of the traditional banking system, including the roles that intermediaries play as brokers and in making loans, as well as an introduction to the parallel system of shadow banking.
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“Dewey Defeats Truman”: Be Aware of Data Revisions
Discover the impact and importance of data releases about current economic conditions in the United States. Your class members will learn about data revision and the GDP, and how these figures can alter people's views on the economy.
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Natural Disasters: From Destruction to Recovery
What are the major economic implications, both good and bad, of natural disasters? Discover the effect that natural disasters can have on labor market conditions, capital, household incomes, and opportunities for reconstruction in local...
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The Great Inflation: A Historical Overview and Lessons Learned
Your young economists will explore the roots of fears about high inflation by learning the effects of rising prices during the world wars and in particular the Great Inflation of the 1970s.
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Financial Crises, Reform, and Central Banking: Establishing the Federal Reserve
From the First and Second Banks of the United States to the founding of the Federal Reserve, discover how the American nation attempted to reform its financial history throughout the years.
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Deflation: Who Let the Air Out?
Why do decreasing prices (deflation) restrain economic growth, and why is this a real concern? Here you'll find reading materials and a related worksheet that gets right to the heart of this question, using recent events and real...
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Monetary and Fiscal Policy in Times of Crisis
Following the 2008 financial crisis in the United States, why did fiscal policymakers increase government spending and reduce taxes? Discover the motivation behind these actions and learn about the separate functions of monetary and...
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Quantitative Easing Explained
Dig deeper into the financial crisis of 2008 in the United States and actions taken by the federal government, including the bailouts and purchase of institutions as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to bolster financial market conditions.
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Prices: The Marketplace’s Communication System
Explore the dual role of prices as signals and incentives, and discover how prices are determined by buyers and sellers in the United States economy.
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The Output Gap: A‘Potentially’ Unreliable Measure of Economic Health?
How can we accurately estimate what the economy should produce now and in the future? Have your pupils tackle this question as they learn about real versus potential GDP and as they review data regarding the output gap in the United States.
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Time Inconsistency: Today’s Actions = Tomorrow’s Regrets
Why do we choose instant gratification over maximizing lifetime satisfaction? How is this reflected in government and macroeconomics? Learn how one research analyst proposes individuals and governments can accomplish greater lifetime...
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Financial Regulation: A Primer on the Dodd-Frank Act
Get the lowdown on the most sweeping financial regulatory reform since the Great Depression: the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
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Choices Are Everywhere: Why Can’t We Just Have It All?
Here is a resource covering a range of terms and concepts regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, and government debt in economics.