Can you recommend a topic for an economics thesis?

Question

I'm having a difficult time looking for a good topic related to economics...Thanks in advance...

Answer 1

I took a couple of economics courses in university as part of my BA program in Modern History and 20th English Lit. I really enjoyed economics. Today, I think one of the most interesting and perhaps important ideas to emerge in the field is that of micro - financing. If you have heard of it, I apologize for my simplistic description - but it is basicially the process of providing money and expertise to individuals in regions of the world where poverty is so widespread that business opportunities are just not available to people. Micro - financing provides opportunities for one person at a time. An example might be that a person in Canada or Britain or the U.S. may have $300 to "invest" or "share". That money is provided to a person in South Africa or India or Guatemala to start a business. Three hundred dollars in much of the world is a tidy sum of cash. It could open all sorts of doors. But this is not a handout. It is seed money coupled with sound business advice. People are mentored and opportunities begin to present themselves. I know only a little about micro - financing and if you are a student of economics you probably know more. A Nobel nomination was suggested within the last couple of years to a economist who has taking part in many of these funding projects.

A great thesis would be to study the effects of such a program on the people who receive but also the people who give and on the communities in which they live. What are the first improvements noticed in a person's life after they become self sufficient? What are the long term benefits to a person and his or her community when they succeed? Could a programme involving many (perhaps thousands) in on community in a privileged nation "adopt" or support in some way an entire community in an underpriveged country? Think of the possibilities! Enormous handouts to governments and NGOs have limited success. And once given . . . where does the money really go?

Good luck on your thesis. Fascinating question with all sorts of possibilities.

Answer 2

As a former econ teacher, I always ask my advisees: what is your interest? If you focus on your interest then you are well-motivated. And motivation is 90% of completing your thesis.

If you think you don't have an interest, then you haven't introspected enough. Start off with a very general topic - Development; International Trade; Exchange Rates. What are the tough econ questions that you have always wondered about? That should get you started.

Once you have identified a broad topic you need to narrow it down. Narrowing it down means you need to read a lot on the subject. Pick up a good not-so-technical survey journal, such as Asian Pacific Economic Literature, Journal of Economic Perspectives, etc. Or google it and look for good survey articles. Here you would need competent advice (from your adviser, who else?) as to what is doable or relevant to the science.

For example: you think your interest is International Trade. You narrow it down to product safety and trade (because of these Chinese goods controversy). Then you get it down further to manufactured goods. Then US product safety standards for imported consumer goods. Finally you settle on a benefit-cost analysis of tightening up on safety standards for emerging market exports of toys to the US. This is still challenging, but I think doable for an undergraduate thesis.

Answer 3

Since the Baby Boomeers are just now starting to retire, you might do a thesis on the impact that the cost of health care will have on the health industry, OR even for that matter, who is going to replace all these retiring workers, and what effect will that have on our ability to stay competitive in the global market?

That should keep you busy doing research.

Answer 4

Here are several depending on what your interests are.
The relationship between education level and income in different occupations.
Relationship between local income inequality, median income, and the recent increases in housing prices in different regions.
Do hedge funds excess returns justify large fees they charge.
The effect of marginal tax rates on labor force participation for US states.
The effect of unionization on company profitability.
The persistence of a US state's economic performance over time. Do poor states stay poor

Answer 5

The person, teacher or proffessor who provided you with those topics to discuss is not only completely out of touch with reality, the streets and law enforcement......but also a racist. No police officer, judge or jury has the power to make a person belonging to a minority commit a crime. So in effect, all of those topics are BS.

Answer 6

How about discussing the best measure of inflation? Core rate vs. Food & Energy? Should there be only one price index? How about indexes for different socio-economic groups? Build-your-own-index based on what products you buy? etc.

Answer 7

How about the idea of foreign currency and inflation? And maybe how it is humanly impossible to have a civilized community without a rationing device like money?

Answer 8

All these years our economists, social reformers, politicians and government are talking about Rural Povery - a new vibrant thesis for your research "URBAN POVERY". You research - there is lot more details you get on this.

Answer 9

*The cost of living in City areas oppose to rural areas.

*Housing development that is impacting historical rural areas. "Urban Sprawl"

Answer 10

What is the reason interest rate goes up and down?