Since at least 1974, workers' compensation law in Michigan has been the subject of legislative study and bitter debate. VanderLaan & Studley, Workers' Compensation Reform: A Case Study of the Legislative Process in Michigan, 14 U. Mich. J. L. Ref. 451, 452-454 (1981). "Literally dozens of conflicting legislative proposals" were offered each year, and all were fought to a standstill by competing interest groups.Id., at 453. The legislative logjam was finally broken in 1980, when the Governor and four legislative leaders began a series of negotiations leading to an agreement on reforms.

184

*184"Neither side was able to obtain everything it wantedpossibly a good indication of the degree of balance this compromise represents."Id., at 458.

1) Why do firms advertise? Even when goods are interchangeable?

2) Is economics value free? Name 2 value decisions might economics make about what is

important? e.g. XX is preferred to XX

3) Is economics goal free? Name 3 goals might economics seek to achieve?

4) What is the fundamental problem of economics as a discipline?

a. The allocation of resources among competing wants because there are unlimited wants

limited resources

5) What characterizes a laissez faire approach to economics? (select all that apply)

6) Outline the difference between positive and normative questions?13

7) Which of the following is an example of a normative question?

a. What is the nation's rate of economic growth?

b. What is the nation's rate of inflation?

c. What is the nation's rate of unemployment?

d. What is the nation's level of GDP?

e. Is the goal of sustainability of greater importance than the goal of economic

growth as we move into the 21st century?

8) Define output and income.

9) Which of the following best describes the precautionary principle?

a. It is incumbent on society to prove if an activity is unsafe to natural systems or

human health.

b. We should err on the side of caution when dealing with natural systems or

human health.

c. The benefits of economic production and growth outweigh the risks of damage

to natural systems or human health.

d. Business should not have to prove a product to be safe before being released on

the market; rather a product must be proven unsafe before it is banned and

pulled from the market.

e. We should take precautions before engaging in risky investment.

10) Define unemployment and how it is expressed in most countries.

Percentage of total workforce who are unemployed and are actively seeking a paid job.

Unemployment rate (# of unemployed / # in labor force) = %

Unemployment rate is one of the most closely watched statistics because a rising rate is seen as a

sign of weakening economy that may call for cut in interest rate. A falling rate, similarly, indicates a

growing economy which is usually accompanied by higher inflation rate and may call for increase

in interest rates.