Tag: global economy

R&D: Global Supply Chain Bottlenecks

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On October 22, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D covers global supply chain bottlenecks.  As an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated shutdowns, the world is facing a massive supply chain crisis.  Prices of groceries, automobiles, and energy sources are skyrocketing and the lack of resources is making things difficult for large and small businesses alike.  In the United States, the Biden administration has committed to keeping West Coast shipyards open 24/7, while also modifying truck driver licensing requirements.  However, experts warn that it could take more than a year to undo the damage.

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R&D from Prepd: The Global Oil Market

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On February 23, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the state of the global oil market.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently reached a deal with other producers such as Russia to freeze levels of oil production in an attempt to stabilize oil prices.  The agreed upon freeze will see producers cut back to January levels, but observers are still skeptical that the deal will hold.  Global oil prices fell below $30 per barrel at the end of last week and Iran is deemed as a wild card.  The Islamic Republic says that it can abide by the freeze, but it also wants to increase production after being freed from Western sanctions.

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R&D from Prepd: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

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On October 13, 2015

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the Trans-Pacific Parternship (TPP).  The TPP is a free trade zone that includes twelve Pacific Rim nations such as the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia.  The Obama administration has championed the deal as a way to counter China’s influence in the Pacific, but Republicans and Democrats have expressed skepticism about the accord.  Negotiations on the TPP were completed last Monday, but now the accord faces fierce ratification battles that could be lost pending political changes in the nations that signed.

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Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

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Since June, the price of oil has plunged 40% on the international market in response to economic slowdowns in Europe and Asia and a glut of supply from the Middle East and North America.  The falling price of oil, near $60 a barrel at the time of the writing of this brief, has been a boon for nations that import fossil fuels.  It also provides much needed stimulus for consumer-driven economies such as the United States as people are able to take the money they would normally spend on high gas prices and direct it to other economic activities.  However, the falling oil price has worked against some economies that rely largely on the proceeds from oil exports.  Countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Nigeria, among others, are now left wondering how they will react to the sudden fall of global oil prices and the decisions that they make could determine whether their current governments survive.

This topic brief will cover the reasons for the collapse of global oil prices, how the falling price will affect the United States economy, and how prominent oil exporters will be affected.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on collapsing oil prices (2014).

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Topic Brief: Oil

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On June 12, 2008

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

Overview

So, with it being NFL time and all that, we here at Extemp HOTtopics decided to revisit the topic of oil.  Now I’m sure you are all saying: “We’ve already talked about OPEC and how monetary policy affects oil prices.”  While that is true, this briefing is going to be a little different.  Specifically, since it is so late in the season, this briefing is going to focus a little less on facts and a little more on strategy.  Thus, while we will cover some new issues regarding oil (mainly the windfall profits tax) this briefing is more about explaining how oil as an issue can be the save all “I need another point” saving grace of extempers.  Therefore, this brief will go over some basic oil things that everyone should know, then examine how you can use oil to add a new level of analysis to all your rounds (including domestic social), and finial pose some non oil questions and give you an idea of how oil can be used to make your analysis more slick… Get it? Get it?

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Topic Brief: High Oil Prices

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On October 1, 2007

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

By Logan Scisco

Extempers receiving questions on the price of oil and its relationship to the United States economy just keep coming.  In fact, I can hardly remember a tournament that I attended in high school that didn’t have a single question on the price of oil, OPEC, and/or what the United States could do to reduce its dependency on foreign oil.  Why do extempers get asked these questions a lot?  The answer boils down to a combination of question writers needing to think of questions that most people can answer and most judges will have some knowledge about and also the fact that high oil prices (which lead to higher gas prices) affect the vast majority of Americans in some way, shape, or form.

High oil prices are one of those unique issues that tends not to divide along partisan lines.  Sure, the GOP accused the Clinton administration of never having a real energy policy for the country, but the same was said of George W. Bush’s administration until this year when an energy policy was finally crafted.  Americans may differ in their views about abortion, gun control, gay marriage, etc. but when more and more of their income is going to gasoline then they become quite angry.

However, in light of how high oil prices tend not to be a partisan issue they due spark controversy over energy policy.  Conflicts emerge between the poor, who are most affected by a price increase of gasoline, and the rich, who for the most part can still afford to drive their cars or fly their fancy jets although they may have to cut back on it.  Conflicts also emerge between environmentalists who want cleaner, renewable sources of energy that will benefit America in the future and businessmen who want more supplies of oil on the market that will benefit America in the present.

This brief is an attempt to briefly show why the price of oil has risen, the economic impact of high prices, what can be done to combat the influence of OPEC (a topic that never seems to want to go away), and a brief explanation of some types of renewable energy sources.

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