2 pages

University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Economics

ECO372: Comparative Economic Systems Summer 2016 N. Aman Discussion Assignment 1: Due on Sunday, July 20 to post in BB 20 pts 1. A Comparative Analysis of 5 or more selected countries explaining their economic, political, and institutional, demographic, and social structure. Select at least 5 countries with a combination of industrially developed and developing countries. Make a table to include the following information in the table. 10 pts

Country Population and Population density

Income category

GDP Growth rate

GDP per capita

Income Distribution Gini Coefficient

Econ System

Political system

HDI Literacy rate

Based on the information in the Table, write the following aspects: 5 pts Critically and analytically write a brief essay about economic performances of the countries you have selected reflecting economic, demographic, political, and social characteristics. Your analysis should also indicate a brief historical development of the transformation of economic and political status in recent decades, along with the challenges these countries are currently facing for further economic progress. The contents of your analysis are expected to not only the data you have collected and shown in the above table, but also qualitative aspects of relevant areas for comparison. Note: In order to write a credible analysis, it is imperative that students use the specific data by including those as part of their analysis. Some URL Links for collecting data: www.Worldbank.org http://data.worldbank.org/news/newest-country-classifications-released The page: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups www.Imf.org www.ocd.org www.undp.org www.cia.gov or google search for cia world factbook. Criteria of income classification of countries: http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications Q2. What are the key factors (both economic and non-economic) that led to the UK vote to exit the EU? What are the SR and LR effects of Brexit (if it is implemented) to the US and UK economy in terms of globalization? 5 pts.