GDP and shadow economy

Pdf files of the articles are posted in Content - Week 1 - Articles for Discussion week 1 area.

• "More Americans Work in the Shadow Economy" by Zumbrun, Joshua
• "Cultural Implications for the Shadow Economy" by Buszko, Andrzej Tomasz
• "On Estimating the Size of the Shadow Economy by Kirchgssner, G
• "Shadow Economies on the Rise Around the World" by Prentice, Chris

In your initial response to the topic you have to answerallquestions: Please format your responses as 1., 2., 3., 4. along with the subsections, i.e. (a), (b) etc.

• 1. Regarding article #2: (a) Providea working definition of the shadow economy, and discuss and explain what is the 'shadow economy' and how does it function/work. (b) Whoparticipates in the shadow economy, and what are their motives: economic and/or social, and/orpolitical? (c) How is national culture connected to the shadow economy?
• 2. Regarding article #3: (a )How are the transactions in the shadow economy measured and accounted for (i.e. are these affects measurable, and if so, how are they measured)? (b)What are the main economic factors influencing the participation in the shadow economy? Discuss the factors and be specific.
• 3. Regarding article #1 and article #4: (a) Why is the shadow economy a challenge for governments? Discuss and be specific. (b) Discuss how the author suggests these challenges can be addressed? (c) Why would these steps be difficult to implement in countries like Georgia and Peru? (d)Why has the operation and structure of a shadow economy become an important focus of economic study?
• 4. With 9.3 million Americans out of work, do you see the shadow economy at work in your community? Share some insights.
• 5. Reflection: include a paragraphin the initial response reflecting on specifically what you learned from the assignment and how you could apply what you learned in the workplace.