UCLA Efficient Healthcare Distribution Discussion
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Essay Assignment 1
Prompt
Choose an intellectual who has a position on capitalism that you disagree with. Explain their
position and o er an argument against their position. You should nd an article or series of
articles that lays out their viewpoint – a primary source is encouraged, but secondary sources
can work as well. You do not have to (and should not) argue against everything your chosen
intellectual has ever written, but rather narrow it down to one speci c point that you can
e ectively argue against in a short essay.
Requirements
1. Your chosen intellectual does not have to be an economist, but they should be an academic
– no politicians (journalists can be acceptable if they have a rigorous argument). You cannot
pick Keynes, Hayek, Mises, Marx, Lange, or Lerner and you cannot do Milton Friedmans essay
The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Pro ts
Some ideas (De nitely feel free to choose someone not on this list):
Ayn Rand
Ben Bernanke
Brad DeLong
Christine Lagarde
Edmund Phelps
Esther Du o
Gary Becker
George Stigler
Glenn Loury
Ha-Joon Chang
Janet Yellen
Joan Robinson
Joseph Schumpeter
Joseph Stiglitz
Lisa D. Cook
Matthew Kahn
Milton Friedman
Murray Rothbard
Noam Chomsky
Paul Krugman
Richard D. Wol
Robert Nozick
Robert Reich
Ronald Coase
Stephanie Kelton
Thomas Piketty
Thomas Sowell
Walter E. Williams
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Another good way to choose somebody is to think of an issue that interests you (healthcare,
environmental, business cycle, etc.) and nd a scholar at the forefront of that issue who you
disagree with (the good thing about economics is you can almost always nd someone on both
sides!). As long as you can connect that issue to capitalism it is acceptable for this essay.
2. By the end of your rst paragraph, you should have a clear statement of your thesis – what is
the idea you disagree with and why do you disagree with it.
3. In addition to sources related to your chosen intellectual, you must cite at least two other
sources (this can include citing data that supports your argument).
4. Paper should be at least 3 pages and no more than 4 (double spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch
margins). You cannot go over the 4 page limit.
5. Your rough draft should be submitted on Bruin Learn and given to your two peer review
partners. The rough draft does not have to be fully polished, but it must be complete.
Grading
Total – 200 points
Peer Review/Rough Draft – 50 Points
10 points – Submitted complete rough draft on time and sent to two peer reviewers
40 points – Participated in peer review and provided substantive comments to your peers.
Please view the lecture and peer review questions for my expectations regarding peer review.
(Your peer review comments will be graded separately by the grader for this class and the
grade for these 50 points will appear together on Bruin Learn)
Final Draft – 150 Points
30 points – Introduction paragraph clearly introduces the chosen intellectual and includes a
clear statement of your thesis that explains what the chosen intellectuals argument is and why
you disagree with it. At the end of the introduction, I will ask myself if I think I have a pretty
good idea of what the essay will be arguing. If I cant answer yes to that question, you will not
do well in this category.
45 points – Essay includes a full description of the chosen intellectuals position. Essays
scoring high points in this category will demonstrate a strong understanding of the chosen
intellectuals views and an ability to describe these views in their own words clearly and
concisely. Strong essays will also make an e ort to give a fair reading to the thinker even
though they disagree with their point of view. Do not argue against a straw man.
60 points – Essay o ers a clear argument against the view of the chosen intellectual. You do
not have to disagree with their position entirely, but you must point out the de ciencies you nd
in their analysis. Strong essays will e ectively synthesize at least 2 additional sources into their
analysis (without simply restating the arguments of other thinkers) as well as consider potential
counterarguments. Be sure that your argument relates back to the broader topic of capitalism.
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15 points – Essay is logically organized and thoughtfully written. You will not be graded on
grammar or style, but the argument needs to make sense. Each paragraph should have a
consistent topic, and ideas should be connected in a logical way.
Scoring Guidelines:
Intro/Thesis
Description of
Position
Argument
Organization/
Structure
Overall Score
A+
28-30
42-45
56-60
14-15
140+
A
25-27
37-41
50-55
12-13
125-139
A-
22-24
33-36
44-49
10-11
110-124
B+
19-21
28-32
38-43
8-9
95-109
B
15-18
22-27
30-37
6-7
75-94
CONSTRUCTING A THESIS STATEMENT
What is a thesis? Although the thesis can be found almost anywhere in an essay or other piece of writing, it is
usually found at or near the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis or thesis statement refers to a papers main
argument or central claim. Unlike an ordinary statement (which may merely state a fact or idea), a thesis takes a
stance or position on an issue, usually addressing the why or how. In subsequent paragraphs (i.e., body
paragraphs), the author will often present facts and supporting claims aimed at proving the thesis. In this handout, we
will elaborate on how to construct an effective thesis statement.
I. THE THESIS QUESTION
A good thesis derives from a significant, complex, and original question. Since the thesis is your
conclusion to a scholarly argument, there must be a clear question at stake for you to answer. You need to
ask thoughtful questions about your examples and source material to develop a good thesis.
Good thesis questions may challenge accepted wisdom or complicate a seemingly clear-cut topic.
II. CONSTRUCTING A THESIS
Start with a topic (i.e., a very general area of interest) then narrow it down to a more specific issue.
Topic: Japanese Americans during World War II
Issue: Discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II
Develop a question around it. This question will help give direction to your topic.
Example: Why did government officials allow discrimination against Japanese Americans?
Develop a unique perspective on your question that answers it. This is a thesis statement.
Example: Government officials allowed discrimination against Japanese Americans not because it was
in the nation’s interest, but because it provided a concrete enemy for people to focus on.
Read through your thesis again, and re-word vague words and phrases to be more specific.
III. APPROACHES TO CONSTRUCTING A THESIS
Approach #1 Start with a Concession: Use a concessive clause, such as although, to make your point
stand out by contrasting it with an opposing position. Then introduce the heart of your argument in the main
clause. The subject of the main clause should be the subject of the paper. Do not present it with a statement
like I will show, where you are the subject of the main clause.
Example: Although many people might assume that George Bailey is influenced by the townspeople
because he is weak-willed or lacks independence, it is actually because of Baileys location in the towns
social network that he is influenced to abandon his dreams.
Source: The Thesis. http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/thesis.htm
Note that this thesis also includes a because clause, which forces you to summarize support for your thesis as
concisely as possible.
Approach #2 A Letter to the Reader: An exercise that might help you develop your thesis is to write a
letter to your reader:
(1) Dear Reader: I want to convince you that
[This is a hypothesis or what]
(2) The main reasons why you should believe me are that
[This is a summary of your evidence and logic,
or how]
(3) You should care about my thesis because
[This comments on the significance of your argument, or
why]
Example: Dear Reader: I want to convince you that the social context in Europe between the 18th and 20th
centuries affected the questions and interpretations of archaeologists. The main reason why you should
believe me is that North American archaeologists claimed that the Moundbuilders could not have been
built by Native Americans, which reinforced the historical context of colonialism. You should care
about my thesis because it shows the biases of archaeological research.
From this exercise, you can form your thesis:
The social context in Europe between the 18th and 20th centuries affected the questions and
interpretations of archaeologists, such as when North American archaeologists claimed that the
Moundbuilders could not have been built by Native Americans. This reinforced the historical context
of colonialism and reveals the biases of archaeologists.
IV. THE INTRODUCTION
The first paragraph of your paper should define the problem your paper addresses, define key words and
concepts you will use, and present your thesis. The thesis, while it effectively encapsulates the argument,
cannot stand alone. It requires the sentences which precede it to “set it up.” Here are some guidelines for
what to include in your introduction:
1. What is the general topic of your paper? Provide the reader with the context necessary to understand
your thesis. Introduce and define key concepts and terms you will be using.
2. What are the examples you will focus on? Introduce them briefly. Explain the significance of examining
these examples. What insights does your analysis of the examples promise?
3. What factors explain the situation or behavior in this example? This is the thesis.
Source: The Thesis. http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/thesis.htm
Writing Essays for Econ 165
Thesis Statements
Thesis Statements
Make a point
Tell me what are you arguing and why
Example of a good thesis statement:
When the government does not allow healthcare to be fully
competitive, Goodman says the market becomes ine cient, and
patients and providers face distorted price incentives. However,
uncertainty and information asymmetry in the healthcare market
prevent true competition and price incentives, making healthcare
fundamentally incompatible with a free market.
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Clearly explains the argument the author wants to critique and
gives concrete reasons why they believe it is incorrect
Thesis Statements
Things to Avoid in Thesis Statements
Lists
Instead: Find the central point that connects your examples
Empty Statements
Your thesis should not be something everybody agrees with
Needs to make a point beyond just I disagree
Keeping your argument a mystery
If I read only your introduction I should have a pretty good idea of
what you are going to say in the rest of the essay
Failing to set up your thesis with the rest of your intro
Introduction should build towards your thesis statement
Thesis Statements
Example
In his famous essay, The Social Responsibility of a Business is to
Increase its Pro ts, Milton Friedman makes the following argument
Corporate executives should serve the interests of the
shareholders of a company
When they spend money for social interest they are allocating
other peoples money to this cause, essentially taxing them
Insofar as his actions in accord with his social responsibility reduce returns
to stock holders, he is spending their money. Insofar as his actions raise the
price to customers, he is spending the customers money. Insofar as his
actions lower the wages of some employees, he is spending their money.
If customers, shareholders, or employees care about social
responsibility, they have the right to use their own money
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If there is market failure, it is up to voters to pass laws to x it
Thesis Statements
Example
Which thesis statement do you think works best as an argument against
Friedman (keeping in mind none are perfect)
1. While Friedman e?ectively argues that corporations have a
responsibility to increase shareholder profit, the rest of this essay will
explain why that viewpoint is misguided.
2. Friedman tries to move the moral responsibility from business to
individuals. However, without the organizational advantages a
corporation provides, collective action problems would prevent many
social goals from being accomplished at an individual level.
3. Friedmans argument fails because it doesnt take into account
externalities, de-emphasizes market power, and overestimates the
morality of individuals.
4. The most profitable businesses in the long run are the ones who
engage in social responsibility, which shows that Friedman presents a
false dichotomy between profit and social responsibility.
Omit Needless Words
Make Every Word Count
Avoid throat clearing phrases
This essay will argue
I believe
In my opinion
Get to the point
Avoid topic sentences like There are many aws in Friedmans
analysis. – focus on what that paragraph will talk about
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Transition sentences can be used to move from one point to
another, but the vast majority of sentences should have something
to say
Stay on Topic
Make One Cohesive Argument
You only have three or four pages
This is probably enough space to prove one big point
You do not have to argue against everything the author has ever
written
Organization
Each paragraph should be connected
Usually a good idea to organize paragraphs around a theme/
argument rather than an example
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Essay 1 Suggestions
Be Fair to Ideas You Disagree With
Part of your grade is based on how well you understand what you are
arguing against
Give the most generous interpretation of ideas you disagree with as you
possibly can
Consider Counterarguments
Why might somebody disagree with what you are saying?
You should try to anticipate how your intellectual would respond to your
critiques and why their response wouldnt be enough
Focus Your Argument
Your goal is to convince me that what your chosen intellectual said is
awed – as much as possible you should respond directly to the points
they make
Essay 1 Suggestions
Grading Rubric
30 points – Intro/thesis statement
45 points – Explaining your chosen intellectuals argument
60 points – Your argument against their views
15 points – Organization/Structure
Other Minor Points
Dont Overquote
If your quote is more than two lines of text its too long
Integrate quotes into your own writing
Sources
Cite your sources, but any citation form is ne as long as I can tell
where it came from
Informal Language
I am ne with rst person language and contractions
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Not ne with slang
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Explanation & Answer:
4 pages
Tags:
economics
Competition
Efficient Healthcare Distribution
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