Julian Saurin @ Free University Brighton |
Production (III)
Session 3 - Production
The Trading Game
During the session this week we shall mainly be playing 'The Trading Game'. You can access the rules and instructions of The Trading Game', which was originally created by the development NGO (non-governmental organisation) Action Aid in the mid-1980s. (That's when I first came across it). Refer to the instructions by all means but try to avoid reading the sections about the analysis of the game, at least until after you've played the game.
On Trade and ProductionWhat's the relationship between trade (exchange) and production ? Does an increase in trade increase the welfare of individual parties engaged in trade or might the increase in trade benefit all parties to the trading system ? Can one opt out of the trading system, and might this be of benefit both individually and collectively ?
Should we see an increase in production i.e, producing more of a range of goods and services, as equivalent to an increase in welfare ? In short, must more mean better ? Are there circumstances in which more of something entails either individual or collective harms ? Further Readings |
Summary of Session Three |