Scarcity

The basic economic problem for all societies is that resources are scarce. Scarcity means that we do not and cannot have enough income or wealth to satisfy our every desire.

Economics studies the production and allocation of valuable goods and services and finds the most effective solutions to the scarcity of resources. Scar­city can be defined as any situation in which the demand for resources ex­ceeds the available supply. It is only because of scarcity that price exists. The price mechanism works to ration the use of scarce resources. When there are fixed resources, it is vital to use these as efficiently as possible to reduce the unit costs of production.

The problem of scarcity is graphically illustrated in environmental eco­nomics, e.g. food and water shortages, depletion of natural resources, destruc­tion of wildlife,

Environmental economics is the study of how to get the best solution to current environmental problems by creating incentives for producers and con­sumers to change their behaviour and attitude to resources.

Role-play

You are a group of experts asked to talk to anti-globalists. Get prepared for the meeting. Discuss the points each of you is going to raise. Try to come to a joint stand on all the aspects of globalisation which you support. Justify your stand, proving that the advan­tages will outweigh t.he disadvantages.

Unit7

I. The Social Profile and State Structure

Text A. The Social Profile

Grammar Presentation: Как читать цифры и числа (How to Read Figures and Numbers) (продолжение)

Tex: /?, The British State System Text C. Comparing the State Systems

Grammar Revision: Вспомогательные глаголы (Auxiliary Verbs)

Sadat English: Making Arrangements for Participation in an International

Conference Rule-play. Presentation at an International Student Conference

II. International Organisations

Text. International Organisations

Role-play: Do We Need International Organisations?

I.

The Social Profile and State Structure

Text A The Social Profile

One may think thai the population of a Western industrialised coun­try, like Britain, is stable. But this assumption is wrong. In Britain, for instance, there has been plenty of change in the population and the demographic situation in recent years.

In principle, the population is unevenly distributed across the land. Since the 1980s |he population has been drifting to the South, causing further changes in the population density and the employment.

In terms of age and composition the population has been changing substantially, too.

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Unit 7

I. The Social Profile and State Structure

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