Reform, Liberalization, and Economic Growth

1. Download GDP data for China, India, and Canada starting in the year of the 1980s corresponding to the last digit of your B00 number. For example, if your B00 number ends in 5, collect data starting in 1985; if your B00 number ends in 7, collect data starting in 1987. Find data through the year 2018. Use the series GDP (constant 2010 US$).

2. For China, India, and Canada separately, calculate the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of GDP between your earliest year (selected according to the last digit of your B00 number) and the year 2018. (Note: The formula for CAGR is (end value/beginning value)^(1/number of years) – 1, × 100 to get a percentage.)

3. Construct a figure showing the GDP of China, India, and Canada on the same chart.

4. Download GDP per capita data for China, India, and Canada starting in the year of the 1980s corresponding to the last digit of your B00 number. Find data through the year 2018. Use the series GDP per capita (constant 2010 US$).

5. For China, India, and Canada separately, calculate the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of GDP per capita between your earliest year (selected according to the last digit of your B00 number) and the year 2018.

6. Construct a figure showing the GDP per capita of China, India, and Canada on the same chart.

7. Bosworth and Collins (2008) use three variables to explain why GDP per capita has grown: physical capital accumulation, human capital accumulation, and openness. Download data on each explanatory variable for China and India starting in the year of the 1980s corresponding to the last digit of your B00 number and ending in the year 2018, or the latest year available. Use the series Gross fixed capital formation (% of GDP), School enrollment, secondary (% gross) (note: not available for each year), and Trade (% of GDP).

8. For China and India (separately), calculate the correlation coefficient between each explanatory variable and GDP per capita between your earliest year (selected according to the last digit of your B00 number) and the year 2018, or the latest year available.

Essay:

In your essay, describe the growth performance of China and India, both in absolute terms and in per-capita terms. Compare the two countries to each other and to Canada, and discuss whether each explanatory variable helps to explain growth performance. Which of the three variables has the highest correlation with GDP per capita? Do Bosworth and Collins (2008) also find this variable to be important?

Detailed Instructions:

Your essay must have a title, an introduction, and a conclusion. Make sure to define your terms and provide appropriate background information. A suggested essay structure contains five paragraphs:

· a first paragraph that briefly introduces the argument you will make in the essay;

· a second paragraph describing and comparing how total GDP has changed over time;

· a third paragraph describing and comparing how per-capita GDP has changed over time;

· a fourth paragraph describing how well each explanatory variable explains China’s and India’s growth performance, including Bosworth and Collins’ findings;

· and a fifth, concluding, paragraph that briefly describes the main points you have made in the essay.

The maximum length is 500 words plus a two-page data appendix; include a word count at the end of your submission. Include the grading rubric as the first page of your submission. Use Chicago or APA style, and write in 11- or 12-point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Provide a bibliography listing the references you use, including the class PowerPoints if relevant. You must submit a hard copy (in class) and an electronic copy (on Brightspace) by the deadline. Please note that the electronic copy will be submitted to anti-plagiarism software.

Data Appendix:

The data appendix should include enough detail for the grader to determine that you downloaded the correct data and performed the calculations accurately; if not all of your data fits on two pages, you may decide to include only the first and last years of information. Required charts and figures go into the body of your essay; any supplemental charts and figures should be placed in your data appendix.

Penalties:

· Late submissions: -10 points per day, starting immediately after 4:05 p.m.

· If you submit only an electronic copy and no hard copy, you will receive a zero on the assignment.

· If you submit only a hard copy and no electronic copy, you will receive a zero on the assignment.

· No rubric: -1 point.

· No data appendix: -2 points.

· Data appendix over two pages: -1 point for each additional page.

· No word count: -2 points.

· Over 500 words: -1 point for each additional 50 words (e.g., -1 for 501 words, -2 for 551 words, etc).