Power shortages hit the Zambian economy
Water shortages are hitting a country highly dependent on hydro-electric power. And a collapsing currency is causing a steep rise in the import price of imported fuels and mobile electricity...
Beyond the Bike - Special Economic Zones in China and Africa
The final extract of the OCR Global Economy pre-release case study for F585 refers to the impact of Special Economic Zones for development in Zambia. The adoption of the SEZ approach in Zambia...
Causes and Effects of China's Growth Slowdown - Views from Economists
Will the Chinese economy grow permanently at less than 6%? What are the prospects for the Chinese economy and its international impact? A recent survey on Chinese economic prospects for the Centre...
Beyond the Bike - Lesson Resource on Chinese FDI into Zambia
For students studying for the OCR F585 pre-release case study paper, the Beyond the Bike resources on Zambia from the last few weeks might prove useful in getting to grips with the Zambian context....
Beyond the Bike - photo of the week on cost-push inflation in Zambia
Stuart sent through this photo from a cafe on the Zambezi River, 250km upstream from Victoria Falls, a few days ago, and whilst at first it looks pretty simple, we can draw out lots of economics...
CPD: Theory of the firm
A-level economics teachers, update your understanding of the "theory of the firm" and join us as we showcase a series of resources aimed at increasing engagement and improving learning on topics...
Economics at the Movies - Robin Hood and tax
In the light of yesterday's Spending Review, it might be interesting in class to watch the scene below from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and discuss the role and nature of taxation in an economy.
Economics at the Movies - Glory, and Wage Discrimination
The 1989 film "Glory" follows the story of the US' first African-American regiment in the army during the American Civil War. This scene explores the issue of race and wage discrimination:
The impact of structural unemployment
Students are likely to have heard of Michael Moore's most recent documentaries such as Where to Invade Next and Capitalism: A Love Story, but it's worth delving back into the archives to revisit...
Practice Exam Papers for A Level Economics (AS)
Teachers and students preparing for the first sitting of the new AS Level Economics exams in summer 2016 will find these new practice exam papers an invaluable resource.
Tourism and Economic Development in Africa
In this excellent A2 economics essay, Ben Stheeman analyses and evaluates the contribution that tourism can and might make to growth and development in Sub Saharan Africa. The global tourism sector...
Osborne's Spending review - a few resources
Here's a few resources for teachers who wish to discuss George Osborne's Spending Review and Autumn Statement in their classes over the next couple of days. All of the data has been taken from the...
Mergers and increasing concentration in European universities
Nearly 100 mergers have taken place between European universities since 2000, and the number of so-called "super-cluster" universities is noticeably rising. This BBC article gives some useful facts...
Some nudges to improve teaching and learning
The nudge theory bandwagon has certainly been jumped on by professionals in all kinds of areas now (see my earlier blog post about President Obama's recent executive order on the matter), and...
IPencil and the Rise of Activist Laizzez-Faire
The parable of I-Pencil and the rise of activist laissez-faire - superb stuff for ambitious students! Courtesy of the excellent Evanomics blog
Southern Europe faces a major structural crisis
Major shocks to social and economic systems ruthlessly expose weaknesses which can be contained in more normal times. When the price of oil quadrupled in 1973/74, the different levels of resilience...
The gender pay gap in Hollywood
US actor Patricia Arquette has spoken to the BBC in an interview about gender pay equality in Hollywood, for Hollywood A-listers and also technical staff such as sound editors. Arquette's interview...
VW and government failure
Last night's BBC Panorama investigation into the Volkswagen emissions scandal provided loads of great material for a detailed look into the issue of government failure. The reporters noted that...
Chinese investment in Africa
A report in this week's Economist suggests that we may have over-estimated the degree to which China has been investing in Africa.
Renewable Energy - Morocco's Giant Solar Plant Opens
A solar farm covering an area in excess of 35 football pitches is scheduled to open in Morocco as the country makes progress towards an ambitious target of 40% of their energy flowing from...