Posted by: Irfani on: January 16, 2011
Unlike the other sections, international economics requires me to consider the various different factors and effects an economic action will have on all of the stakeholders involved. This is especially true for exchange rates.
For instance, an appreciation in a currency may lead to various benefits in one country such as increased employment rate and improved current account balance while it will adversely affect another such as current account deficit and increased unemployment rate.
From my formative and summative data responses, I had a lot of trouble in deciding which information to include in the answers. I almost always end up crushing all of my different ideas into one leading to a lack of coherence in my arguments. This is because while I was writing many ideas are floating in my head since I have to consider many different consequences. I can try to plan better so I can write a more coherent argument but even then various ideas will be floating in my head as more ideas come up. All I an try to do is to stick to one argument and consider some other ones. For instance, in my last summative data response, I did pretty well because I explained my arguments coherently and tried to not add new ideas in between.
January 20, 2011 at 3:28 AM
To make your arguments more coherent, I’d recommend using transition phrases to mark when you switch to a different stakeholder or effect e.g. although, however, at the same time, on the other hand (for contrasting ideas) // accordingly, subsequently, hence, therefore (when you make a judgment).
e.g. While this form of protectionism benefits exporters in the EU, it harms exporters in Indonesia. Accordingly, protectionism is an unfair policy.
Keep practicing answering questions under timed conditions to get the hang of things. Good luck!