6. International trade and globalisation
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6.1. Specialisation and free trade
• definition of specialisation by country • the basis for specialisation by country in terms of the best resource allocation and/or low-cost production • advantages and disadvantages of specialisation
• definition of free trade • advantages and disadvantages of free trade
6.2. Globalisation and trade restrictions
• Definition of globalisation
• causes of changes in globalisation: • changes in trade restrictions • changes in transport costs • changes in communication costs • movement of multinational companies (MNCs) • effects of changes in globalisation on: • international trade • competition • the environment • migration • income distribution • economic development
• MNCs and their advantages and disadvantages to host countries and home countries
• tariffs • import quotas • subsidies • embargoes
• protect infant (sunrise) industries • protect declining (sunset) industries • protect strategic industries • avoid dumping • reduce a deficit on the current account of the balance of payments • raise tax revenue • restrict the import of demerit goods • promote environmental sustainability
• impact of trade restrictions on the home country and its trading partners • advantages and disadvantages of restricting free trade
6.3. Foreign exchange rates
6.3.1Definition of foreign exchange rate
• Definition of foreign exchange rate
6.3.2Reasons for buying and selling foreign currencies
• trade in goods and services • speculation • government intervention in currency markets • payment of profit, interest and dividends between countries • workers’ remittances • investment in capital goods between countries
6.3.3Determination of foreign exchange rate in foreign exchange market
• definitions of floating exchange rate, appreciation and depreciation • the demand for and supply of a currency • the determination of the equilibrium foreign exchange rate • causes of foreign exchange rate fluctuations • changes in demand for exports and imports • changes in the interest rate • speculation
6.3.4Consequences of changes in foreign exchange rates
• effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on prices and demand for exports and imports
6.4. Current account of the balance of payments
• components of the current account of the balance of payments: • trade in goods • trade in services • primary income • secondary income • calculation of deficits and surpluses on the current account of the balance of payments and its component sections
• reasons for current account deficits and surpluses
• impact on GDP, employment, inflation and foreign exchange rate
• the range of policies available to achieve balance of payments stability and their effectiveness