Welcome to the 51st edition of our Newsletter EdGenie's 📜 Sunday Scroll...
Every Sunday I send out actionable tips, tricks and real-world application insights from my 15 year experience coaching students to achieve As and A*s in their Economics A Levels via EdGenie.
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Feeling Like You've Forgotten Everything Economics? Let's Fix That! 💪
China’s exports miss target in warning signal for Beijing
Infographic of the Week
Chart of the Week
Macroeconomic Data
Feeling Like You've Forgotten Everything Economics? Let's Fix That! 💪
Happy Sunday Genies,
The other day, our wonderful Genie Mya reached out with a concern that many of you might relate to:
"I have a question, I haven't done any work since school broke up and am only really getting back into it. I feel like I've forgotten econ and want to revise past AS topics this summer before heading into Yr13 content. What shall I be doing now? I have all my notes up neatly."
First off, you’re not alone in feeling this way! It’s natural to feel rusty after a break, but let’s get you back on track.
If You’re Operating at an A or A* ....🌟
Here's my advice:
Stay Updated: Keep an eye on real-world economic events. Analyse and think critically about how government decisions and global events, for example like the Paris Olympics or protests, impact their respective economies.
Maintain Your Writing Flow: If you're enrolled in something like EdGenie, make it a habit to submit an essay or two each month. This will keep your writing sharp and help you maintain your A* standard.
I used to struggle with my handwriting after a summer break – it would look like a toddler's!
Keeping up with writing is crucial.
If You’re at a B/C or Lower.... 📈
It’s time to step up, and I mean immediately.
Why the Urgency?
Because you need to prove to your teachers that you deserve an A/A* predicted grade when September-November 2024 rolls around.
Daily Commitment: Focus on improving your understanding of A-Level Economics and apply this knowledge to practice questions. Make it a daily habit across your subjects.
Ignore the Chill Advice: Don't listen to those telling you to relax until September. And definitely don’t think, “I’ll catch up in Year 13.” Start now.
I want you to have a rock-solid grasp of Year 12 topics, fully understand the diagrams, and practice questions in key areas like Market Failure and Macro Policies.
Why Start Now? 🏃♂️
Year 13 is a whole new ballgame.
Having a strong foundation in Year 12 material will make your life 1000% easier.
Trust me on this.
- Watch Explainer Videos: Go over all the video explainers on these topics.
-Perfect Your Notes: Make sure your notes are detailed and comprehensive.
-Stay Informed: Begin reading the news, starting with the BBC Economy section, and gradually work your way up to the Financial Times. (I simplify it for you on EdGenie!) Final Thoughts 💭
Whether you're gunning for an A* or striving to push past a B, now is the time to act.
Doing this work over the summer will set you up for success in Year 13.
Let’s make sure you’re off to a great start. See you on EdGenie
🌍 China's Export Growth Misses Expectations: China's export growth in July rose by 7%, falling short of the 9.7% expected by analysts and below the 8.6% increase in June.
📈 Imports Surge: Imports increased by 7.2%, surpassing expectations and reversing previous declines, driven by demand for machinery and capital goods.
📉 Concerns Over Export Dependency: Analysts suggest that China's reliance on exports to offset domestic economic weaknesses may be at risk as external demand softens. 🏠 Domestic Economic Challenges: China's economy is grappling with a real estate downturn, weak consumer confidence, and cautious government stimulus measures.
🔄 Shift Towards Technological Investment: President Xi Jinping's focus is on boosting productivity through advanced technology and manufacturing, with state banks supporting industry over domestic demand. 💹 Disinflationary Pressures: Lower prices have boosted China's export competitiveness, especially as developed markets face higher inflation.
🔧 Front-loaded Exports: Chinese industry may have accelerated exports earlier in the year due to concerns over potential tariffs and global economic uncertainty.
🌐 Rising Trade Protectionism: Weaker export figures may be linked to increased trade barriers, particularly in developed markets, affecting Chinese products like automobiles.
📊 Stimulus Expectations: More stimulus, including monetary easing, is anticipated in the latter half of the year to support the economy.
🚗 Sector-Specific Trends: Despite disappointing export figures, certain sectors like automobiles and semiconductors have shown stronger activity, with volume growth driven by price competition.
A Level Economics Questions:
Q: Discuss the implications of China's export growth missing expectations in July for the overall Chinese economy. A: The fact that China's export growth missed expectations in July suggests potential vulnerabilities in the economy, which has relied heavily on trade to compensate for weaknesses in domestic sectors, such as the real estate market and consumer spending. This shortfall could signal that external demand, a key driver of recent economic resilience, is beginning to wane, posing challenges for policymakers in maintaining stable economic growth. The reliance on trade, particularly in a global environment facing increased protectionism, could expose China to greater economic risks, necessitating adjustments in economic policy and possibly increased stimulus measures.
Q: Evaluate the impact of a surge in imports on China's economic strategy of upgrading industry and achieving technological self-sufficiency. A: The surge in imports, particularly of high-tech goods such as semiconductors and auto parts, aligns with China's strategic goals of upgrading its industrial base and achieving technological self-sufficiency. This import growth reflects China's efforts to build advanced manufacturing capabilities, crucial for long-term economic development and reducing reliance on foreign technology. However, while this strategy supports industrial modernisation, it also highlights ongoing dependencies on external suppliers for key technologies, which could be a vulnerability in the face of rising global trade protectionism.
Q: Analyse how disinflationary pressures in China are affecting the competitiveness of its exports. A: Disinflationary pressures in China, characterised by falling prices, have enhanced the competitiveness of Chinese exports by making them more affordable in international markets. At a time when many developed economies are grappling with high inflation, China's ability to offer lower-priced goods strengthens its position in global trade. However, this price-driven competitiveness may be unsustainable if it leads to reduced profit margins for exporters or if global demand continues to weaken, potentially diminishing the benefits of these disinflationary trends.
Q: How might rising trade protectionism in developed markets, such as the US and the EU, impact China's export sector? A: Rising trade protectionism in developed markets, such as the US and the EU, poses significant risks to China's export sector. Increased tariffs and trade barriers, particularly on products like automobiles, could reduce China's access to these crucial markets, leading to a decline in export volumes and revenues. Additionally, the imposition of tariffs could encourage Chinese industries to shift focus towards less protected markets or to prioritise domestic consumption, which might slow down the overall growth of the export sector and affect China's broader economic stability.
Possible A Level Economics 25 Marker Question
Discuss the impact of a changing current account on the Chinese Economy (25 marks)
Infographic of the Week
Global Tax-to-GDP Ratios: A Reflection of Economic Strength and Tax Policies
The tax-to-GDP ratio, which measures a country's tax revenue relative to the size of its economy, varies significantly across major economies, with European nations leading the rankings. France, Italy, and Germany top the list, reflecting higher tax revenues compared to their economic output. In contrast, lower-income countries like India and Indonesia have much lower ratios, ranking near the bottom. This metric is crucial as it indicates the government's capacity to fund public services, with a 15% ratio often considered essential for economic growth and poverty reduction. However, exceptions exist, such as Saudi Arabia, where significant oil revenues reduce the need for high tax collection.
Chart of the Week
Emission-Intensive Industries Lag in Research and Development Spending
In 2022, industries contributing heavily to emissions, such as oil, gas, and electricity, allocated only a minimal portion of their revenues to research and development (R&D), with median intensities of just 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Despite the critical need for innovations like carbon capture to reduce emissions, these sectors lag significantly behind others, such as construction and materials, which invested 2.5% of revenues in R&D. In contrast, the tech industry, driven by companies like Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft, demonstrated the highest R&D intensity, with median values reaching up to 20.7%. This disparity raises concerns about the commitment of emission-intensive industries to advancing sustainable technologies.
Macroeconomic Data
Whenever you're ready there is one way I can help you.
If you or your child are looking to Boost your A level Economics Grades in under 30 days, I'd recommend starting with an all-in-one support network where you get 24/7 access to a SuperTutor:
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A huge thanks for hopping on board EdGenie's Wednesday Wisdoms newsletter!
I'm Emre, and I've got a big goal - to make A* education accessible to all A-level students.
And it Starts With You!
Emre Aksahin
Chief Learning Officer at Edgenie
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