Balancing the Consequences of Unemployment

This week, my AS economists have been working on developing their analytical skills in an attempt to produce a more balanced argument. At times it is too easy to take a particular viewpoint and I find this is never more apparent than when considering the consequences of unemployment (where usually we focus on the negative aspects).

We had just covered the demand and supply side potential causes of unemployment, and began the lesson with the recent news that the unemployment rate has risen, with the LFS figure creeping past the 2.5million mark. Inspired by Pete’s blog, the class acted out a variety of scenes considering the balanced consequences of unemployment, including:

1) A scene at No. 10 Downing Street with the PM and his economic advisors were discussing the impact of rising unemplyoment and how society would be affected.

2) A ‘friend in need’ scene at the pub trying to balance the advantages alongside all more obvious disadvantages of job loss (this article could provide stimulus)

3) A local firm’s AGM, where the management team discussed potential threats and opportunities that may arise from the town’s rising unemployment.

Props, accents and impressions were optional…but importantly these scenarios really helped move the ‘consequences discussion’ onto both positive and negative factors associated with unemployment from the viewpoint of individuals, business and the government.