The learning objective of this discussion is to explain the role of scarcity and markets.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
You may have to copy and paste the links.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/us/legal-brothels-selling-virginity-this-is-life/index.html
This is a story of a woman who (in the article) is auctioning off her virginity for $400,000.
This is not a frivolous discussion. A market is defined as the interaction of buyers and sellers, where voluntary exchange occurs. However, there are markets where buyers and sellers are coerced into trade. One example is the sex trade in Cambodia.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/06/virginity-for-sale-cambodia-sex-trade
There are also situations where shortages exist and there is no solution to the shortage. For example, there is no legal market in human organs in the U.S.
This is the basis of our discussion. You may reference articles you have read – please share the link.
1. What are the implications and consequences, intended or unintended, of creating a legal marketplace for goods and services such as human organs?
2. When discussing the human trafficking issue, should we address the demand side or the supply side of the issue? Explain your answer. (i.e. do you try to stop the supply or the demand, which would be more effective, is there any data or evidence to support this?)
I’m not aiming to be provocative. I’m genuinely interested as an economist in how markets work and I want you to start using what you’re learning.
The articles are relatively short.
You get 5 points for correctly answering both questions = 10 points
You get 5 points per article that you read and reference in your discussion (you will get just 5 points max for referencing one article no matter how many times you reference it) = a total of 20. This is to show me that you have read the article and can connect what you read to the discussion.
And you get another 10 points for your responses (total) to two other participants.
Please refer to the Discussion Board Rubric.