Participating in Group Discussions in

Economics – Student Guide

Purpose

Participate effectively in a group discussion by preparing carefully, speaking thoughtfully, and listening
actively.

Summary

In this assignment, you will have a discussion with at least two peers. Your discussion will be planned on
a topic that builds on a discussion prompt. You will need to demonstrate the qualities of a good
discussion participant. Finally, you will assess your own work by writing a response paragraph after the
discussion.

Discussion Prompt

Command and mixed-market economies have benefits and drawbacks.

Carry out research to prepare for a group discussion with your peers. Then, work together to discuss the
pros and cons of each economic system, and which system provides the best opportunities and stability
for citizens.

Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Read the discussion prompt carefully.

a) As you read the prompt, take notes about what you will need to find as you prepare your
evidence.
b) Ask your teacher if you have any questions about what the prompt means, or what it is asking
you to do.

Step 2: Prepare your evidence.

a) Read the economic data included in the appendix of this student guide. Ask your teacher if
you have any problems downloading, copying, or printing this information.
b) Carry out your own research if you feel you need more information.
c) Review your lesson if you need any help in understanding the topic.
d) Gather facts, examples, and anecdotes about the topic, including source citations.
e) Determine your viewpoint based on your opinion of the facts you gathered.
f) Take notes to organize your viewpoint with evidence that supports each of your main ideas.

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 g) Research definitions for any terms and concepts you plan to present during the discussion.

Step 3: Work with other participants to set discussion rules and guidelines.

a) Meet with your fellow participants to develop a plan.

b) Confirm that your fellow participants understand the topic of the discussion.

c) Set clear goals that include basic topics for discussion, the schedule of the discussion, the
length of the discussion, and the roles of each discussion member.

d) Decide on how the role of the moderator will function (with the aid of a teacher or other adult).

Step 4: Participate in a formal group discussion.

a) Come to the discussion prepared.

b) Takes turns listening and speaking.
c) Use notes from your research to present your viewpoint.
d) For each point you make, give support with evidence.
e) Listen to questions raised by the moderator and other participants. Respond thoughtfully.
f) Take notes as you listen. Reflect on points made, summarize perspectives, and build on
ideas.
g) Acknowledge where you agree and disagree with others and, when you need to, justify your
views by explaining your reasoning.
h) Help the group stay focused on the topic.
i) Speak clearly and use appropriate language.
j) Keep eye contact as you speak and listen.
k) Use body language to show that you are engaged and interacting as part of a team.

Step 5: Reflect on the group discussion by writing a self-assessment paragraph.

a) Think about how you acted as a speaker in presenting your views.

b) Consider how well you listened and followed the rules of the discussion.
c) Reflect on how other participants made their points and provided evidence.
d) Share your thoughts about how well your team met its discussion goals.
e) Describe your areas for improvement.

Step 6: Evaluate your discussion using this checklist.

When you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, you are ready to submit your checklist.

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 Yes No Evaluation Question

Did you research aspects of both command and mixed-market economies?

Does your group agree on which economy has the greatest opportunities?

Does your group have evidence that supports your argument?

Is your group prepared to answer questions about the topic?

Does your group have questions prepared for other groups?

Did each member of your group fulfill his or her role within the project?

Are research materials organized and prepared for the discussion?

Are research materials accurate and from reliable sources?

Appendix: Country Data

This appendix provides important data that you can use to prepare for your discussion.

You might also choose to do outside research, or to review what you learned in your lessons.

Important Terms and Ideas

Number of workers in the labor force: This measures the total number of workers in a country.

Unemployment rate: This measures the percentage of citizens in a country who cannot find jobs.

Gini index: This index measures how equal a country’s resources are distributed. The lower the number,
the more equally a country’s citizens are paid. The higher the number, the larger the gap between a
country’s rich and poor citizens. The world’s most unequal countries are rated at 60 or higher, while the
world’s most equal countries are rated at 25 or lower.

Income share for the poorest 10%: This statistic measures how much of a country’s income is in the
hands of the poorest 10% of citizens. The lower the percentage, the more unequal the country’s division
of wealth.

Income share for the richest 10%: This statistic measures how much of a country’s income is in the
hands of the richest 10% of citizens. The higher the percentage, the more unequal the country’s division
of wealth.

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Percentage of citizens below the poverty line: This measures how many citizens earn less income
than a country’s “poverty line” level each year. Countries determine their own “poverty line,” so wealthier
countries will set a higher standard than poorer countries. For example, in China, a citizen was
considered to be living “below the poverty line” in 2012 if the person had an income of less than $365 US
dollars per year. In the United States, a family of four people could be considered living below the poverty
line in 2012 if the income was less than $23,050 per year.

Industries: This lists a country’s most prominent manufacturing industries.

Country A: China

China is a country in East Asia. Since 1949, China has had a communist government. Until the late
1970s, China had a strict command economy. Since then, China has begun to create reforms, allowing
more mixed-market economic activity. Economic restrictions have been lifted, and businesses can
conduct their trade more freely. However, China’s businesses and citizens still live under strong
restrictions, and they often lack freedoms available to citizens in other countries. China can still be
considered to have a command economy despite reforms.

Data Category Statistics

Number of workers in the labor force 797.6 million (2013 estimate)

Unemployment rate 6.4% (2013 estimate)

Gini index rating 47 (2009 estimate)

Income share for the poorest 10% 2.1% (1999 estimate)

Income share for the richest 10% 28.9% (1999 estimate)

Percentage of citizens in poverty 13.4% (2011 estimate)

Industries world leader in gross value of industrial output; mining

and ore processing; iron, steel, aluminum, and other
metals; coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and
clothing; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers;
consumer products, including footwear, toys, and
electronics; food processing; transportation equipment,
including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships,
and aircraft; telecommunications equipment; commercial
space launch vehicles; satellites

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Country B: Denmark

Denmark is a country in Scandinavia, in Northern Europe. Its economic system blends mixed-market
capitalism with elements of socialism. The country’s laws place a strong emphasis on protecting and
preserving the welfare of citizens. The government provides many social and health benefits to citizens,
but citizens are required to pay high taxes. Denmark’s economy is more controlled than some countries,
but less controlled than that of China or North Korea.

Data Category Statistics

Number of workers in the labor force 2.8 million (2013 estimate)

Unemployment rate 6.0% (2013 estimate)

Gini index rating 24.8 (2009 estimate)

Income share for the poorest 10% 1.9% (2013 estimate)

Income share for the richest 10% 28.7% (2013 estimate)

Percentage of citizens in poverty 13.4% (2011 estimate)

Industries iron, steel, and nonferrous metals; chemicals; food

processing; machinery and transportation equipment;
textiles and clothing; electronics; construction; furniture
and other wood products; ship building and
refurbishment; windmills; pharmaceuticals; medical
equipment

Country C: United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK), commonly known as Britain, is a country in Europe. It has greatly influenced
world culture, science, and history, and has a history of colonization in other parts of the world. The UK
has a strong mixed-market economy, though it does provide strong social welfare programs for its
citizens. The UK has one of the world’s most advanced economies, and its capital, London, serves as a
center for global trade.

Data Category Statistics

Number of workers in the labor force 32.2 million (2013 estimate)

Unemployment rate 7.7% (2013 estimate)

Gini index rating 40 (2009 estimate)

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 Income share for the poorest 10% 2.1% (1999 estimate)

Income share for the richest 10% 28.5% (1999 estimate)

Percentage of citizens in poverty 14.0% (2009 estimate)

Industries machine tools; electric power equipment; automation

equipment; railroad equipment; shipbuilding; aircraft;
motor vehicles and parts; electronics and
communications equipment; metals; chemicals; coal;
petroleum; paper and paper products; food processing;
textiles and clothing; other consumer goods

Resource Suggestions
You may wish to use these sites to look for online sources.

• The World Bank in China

• 2019 Poverty Guidelines

• China: Economics

• Denmark: Economics

• United Kingdom: Economics

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