Conversations with History: Economics, Politics and Public Discourse

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor J. Bradford DeLong of Berkeley's Economics Department for a discussion of economics and public policy. Reflecting on his work as deputy assistant secretary in the Treasury Department in the Clinton administration, Professor DeLong discusses the dilemma posed by the breakdown of the political center, the strengths and weaknesses of the NAFTA agreement, and Alan Greenspan’s record at the Federal Reserve. He also reflects on the quality of public discussion of economic issues. (55 minutes)

Material Type: Lecture

Floating exchange effect on US

Floating Exchange Effect on US. Created by Sal Khan.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: Sal Khan

Cyclical Unemployment (Video)

In this 7 minute video, students will learn the cause(s) and effect of cyclical unemployment. This will aid in the mastery of standard EPF. 5 (b) and (c)

Material Type: Lecture

The Dangers of Fiscal Policy

In this 6 minute video, students will examine what happens when a nation defaults. This video will support the standards EPF. 7 and 8

Material Type: Lecture

Decision in the Streets

This video segment, adapted from Decision in the Streets by civil rights filmmaker Harvey Richards, portrays the interracial protests that took place in San Francisco in 1963-64.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington University in St. Louis, WGBH Educational Foundation

Demand Analysis

REMEMBERING:Pupil Remembers the concept of Demand and factors affecting demand.UNDERSTANDING:Pupils develops an Understanding of factors affecting demand.APPLYING:Pupils applies Remembering and Understanding in new and unfamiliar situation.EVALUATING:Pupils Evaluate various factors affecting Demand

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Mariya Shaikh

Demand Analysis

REMEMBERING:Pupil Remembers the concept of Demand and factors affecting demand.UNDERSTANDING:Pupils develops an Understanding of factors affecting demand.APPLYING:Pupils applies Remembering and Understanding in new and unfamiliar situation.EVALUATING:Pupils Evaluate various factors affecting Demand

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Fayyaz Shaikh

Deter. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft.

This 10 minute video will teach students what identify theft is and the many ways it happens in our society. The video also offers ways to deter, detect and defend against identity theft. This video will aid in the mastery of standard EPF. 10 (k)

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Federal Trade Commission

Dictionary of Economics Videos: Stagflation

This video is 2 minutes long and will define stagflation for students. It will enforce the standard EPF. 5 (b)

Material Type: Lecture

Documentary about "World economic crisis of 1929"

The economic crisis that started in the United States in 1929 and moved towards industrial and developing countries, it was the most severe and widespread economic decline known from liberal or capital countries and ended in 1933.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: oussama eldimashki

Does America Really Have a Budget Crisis?

This lesson is designed to get students to think critically about hot-button issues such as the "fiscal cliff," "sequestration," and the ongoing debate about the US budget. Two student readings examine the general debate about the budget and the human impact of budget cuts and sequestration. Questions for discussion follow each reading.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Mark Engler

Does Government Have a Revenue or Spending Problem?

People say the government has a debt problem, but what causes federal government debt? In this video, Professor Antony Davies of Duquesne University traces the root cause of government debt to find out if the problem is too much spending or too little government tax revenue.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: Institute for Humane Studies

Econ Duel: Rent or Buy

This 6 minute video will explain the benefits and costs associated with buying a home versus renting a home. This video will aid in the mastery of standard EPF. 11 (b)

Material Type: Lecture

EconGuy Videos: Broken Window Fallacy

When something is destroyed, does that actually help the economy by creating construction jobs? Do disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes, tornados, or tsunamis actually stimulate job growth? Only if people were planning to light their money on fire before having to spend it on reconstruction! This is what economists call the Broken Window Fallacy.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: Complements & Substitutes

Two things we'd all like to see less of: climate change, and mass shootings. The direct way to address these would be to make fossil fuels more expensive, and restrict access to guns. But politically, neither of those policies will happen anytime soon. Fortunately, economists have another approach: change the prices of *related* goods. See how lowering the price of solar panels can change the use of coal, and how raising the price of bullets can reduce shootings.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: Does Automation Destroy Jobs?

When machines or computers are used to automate a task, does that mean that human workers will lose their jobs? As with most questions in economics, it depends. See how computers and toilet paper illustrate two different effects of technology on jobs. Overall, EconGuy shows that even when workers in one industry lose out, the economy as a whole benefits from automation and technology.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: Does Free Trade Destroy Jobs?

Many people assume that importing goods from other countries destroys jobs here in the U.S. Economists believe that trade doesn't destroy jobs, it just moves them around within the economy. This video explains how.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: Do the Rich Pay Too Much in Taxes?

We keep hearing that the wealthy pay a disproportionate share of our taxes. Do the rich pay too much tax? We can't answer that question without looking at how income is distributed. It turns out that tax payments are unequal because income is unequal. Even if we taxed everyone at exactly the same rate, the rich would still have huge tax payments - because they're the ones making the most income.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: How to Reduce Debt and Climate Change Simultaneously

What are the two biggest threats facing future generations? The growing Federal debt, and climate change. The national debt will trash the economy, and global warming will trash the planet. But economics offers a solution to BOTH problems: a carbon tax. So why do economists cry themselves to sleep?

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh

EconGuy Videos: Immigrants and Jobs

Many people think that immigrants take jobs from Americans. But is that true? Turns out there isn't a fixed number of jobs to be fought over by Americans and immigrants. Immigrants actually end up creating more jobs for Americans - find out how.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Patrick Walsh