Abstract
This paper examines the similarities and differences of the marketing environment and strategies of Coca Cola and Pepsi. The paper discusses these two corporation's ongoing battle for global soft drink domination. The paper describes how Coke and Pepsi share the same demographics, economic conditions, competition, social and cultural facets, technology, and political and legal problems inherent with each of their markets. The paper explains that the external macro environments are similar for each, but how they both use their marketing programs involve different tactics and strategies.

From the Paper
"One micro external environment advantage both Pepsi and Coke enjoy is their extensive distribution, or marketing intermediaries. These distributors increase their profits by producing and selling the products directly to customers at the local level. Pepsi and Coke use these firms and distributors to make their large profits in exchange for their knowledge and their soft drink bases and concentrates."

Tags:soft, drink, micro, macro, industry, corporation, global, cola, diet

Abstract
This essay covers the basic terminology for economics including marginal cost, opportunity cost, sunk or fixed cost, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and other terms relating to the principles of economics. It also briefly explains what it is that economists do.

From the Paper
""Economics is the study of how people choose to use their scarce and limited resources to produce, exchange, and consume goods and services in an attempt to satisfy their unlimited wants" (McEachern, p. 15). Many Americans spend a large part of their lives participating in economic activities. Purchasing a new home, vehicle, television, stereo, etc. are examples of an economic activity."

Tags:cost, costs, economics, fixed, macroeconomics, marginal, microeconomics, opportunity, sunk

Abstract
This paper defines monopolies. The author states that monopolies are not outlawed in the U.S. and names several public and private monopolies. The paper examines various microeconomic issues relating to monopolies such as the existence of natural monopolies, near monopolies, monopoly power, oligopolies, legal monopolies, government sponsored monopolies and the proper role of government.

From the Paper
"The concept of a monopoly is not merely an economic theoretical possibility. Monopolies exist in the United States. Monopolies were not declared illegal under any of the federal antitrust laws including the Sherman Act the Clayton Act the Robinson-Patman Act or the Federal Trade Commission Act. A few of the many monopolies that currently exist are the U. S .Postal Service, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, various public utilities, Microsoft Corporation, Major League Baseball, Intel Corporation and the International Long-shore Warehouse Union. A monopoly involves artificial restriction of production ..."

Tags:Microeconomic, monopolies, natural monopolies, oligopolies, economic theory, government intervention, trust busting, near monopolies, Intel, Microsoft, consumer prices, choice

Abstract
This paper examines components of restrictive rent control legislation and its economic and social consequences in America. This examination focuses specifically on rent control applications in New York City and the urban cities of Santa Monica and Berkeley, California. Additionally, the paper discusses how government regulations violate two of the eight basic principles of economic thinking. These basic principles are: (1) incentives matter choice is influenced in a predictable way by changes in economic incentives and (2) economic actions often generate secondary effects in addition to their immediate effects.

From the Paper
"Rent control is one of the most controversial social welfare programs in existence. In 1943 and after World War II, the federal government enacted rent controls as a "temporary" attempt to combat housing shortages in intensive populated or urban areas and to protect residents from high housing prices. Opponents argue that rent control result in decreased levels of construction, decreased levels of maintenance on existing properties, and abnormal housing vacancies, and is therefore economically ineffective. Some opponents even feel that rent control causes homelessness. Advocates of rent control and rent stabilization see it as a way to ensure the availability of affordable rental housing for low and middle-income urban dwellers. Rent control advocates contend " there was already a housing shortage and that rent-control laws were enacted to keep landlords from taking advantage of the situation by "gouging" tenants" (Sowell, 1999). Many rent control proponents feel that the abolishment of rent controls would result in increased homelessness. "

Tags:control, rent

Abstract
This paper analyzes a survey that appeared in "The Economist," which examined the economic and social impact of the legalization of drugs around the world. It focuses on the microeconomic effects legalization would have and analyzes data presented in the survey using tools and methods that are taught at intermediate level economics classes. This paper examines the effects of legalization on price, demand, consumption and distribution.

From the Paper
"Regardless of the moral or political positions one takes on the use or trade of illicit substances, one has to appreciate the complexity and the organization of the world drug trade. The drug trade is a truly global industry, as the production and distribution of illegal substances requires participation from, and relatively unmatched cooperation between, different groups from nearly every corner of the world. As impressive as the geographic scope of the drug trade is the economic prowess of the industry, which generates annual sales of somewhere between $150 and $400 billion, based on different estimates. The industry's illegitimate status also makes it one of the most dangerous in the world for those who participate at all levels, from producers to distributors, and even to consumers. The drug trade also causes enormous problems, both financially and socially, to nearly every nation involved - and not just from the questionable nature of the drugs themselves, but also because of the tactics employed by the world's most powerful governments, especially by the United States, to eliminate, curb, or otherwise control the flow of illegal substances. In the survey in The Economist, powerful arguments are presented that try to establish that the policies and enforcement strategies of the world's powers against the drug trade cause far greater harm than the industry does itself. Further, the survey argues a great deal of the problems caused by the drug industry to nations and peoples around the world are more a result of these policies and tactics than anything inherent in the industry or the substances themselves. The survey presents a number of arguments from both a social standpoint and an economic perspective as to how the United States and the rest of the world might benefit from the legalization of illicit substances. In this paper the focus will be on the economic evidence presented in the survey and its correlation with the theory of the firm and the consumer in microeconomics."

Tags:consumption, demand, drugs, economics, economist, legalization, microeconomics, price, supply

Abstract
This paper discusses and differentiates the four primary economic market structures of perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly, suggesting examples of each. It also addresses how firms in each of the market structures respond to these factors.

From the Paper
"Market structure is the particular environment of a firm, the characteristics of which influences the firm's pricing and output decisions (Arnold, 2001, p. 501). There are five features that determine the level of competition in an industry which characterize an industry in a particular market structure. These include: (1) the number of buyers and sellers; (2) the amount of differentiation between the products of different firms in the industry; (3) the ease with which new firms enter or old firms exit the market; (4) the availability of information about prices and availability of products and resources; and (5) the ways in which firms in the industry compete with each other, such as through prices or advertising."

Tags:competition, economics, monopoly, oligopoly, pricing

Abstract
This paper examines how Brighton and Hove (B&H) has built itself a new economy taking advantage of the changes in the UK economy and diversifying into the service sector. It explains how this was done through development, a favourable environment and taking advantage of the highly skilled labour force that moves to the city either to study or because of its attractiveness as modern city. The paper points out that at the same time the city has left its self open to new problems that will have to be addressed by local and central government and that these problems mainly revolve around the existing infrastructure of the area. The paper also notes that in recent years the B&H council seems to be addressing some of these problems with projects such as the new Library and the Black Rock development, but other problems still require attention especially those of housing, the skills gap at the lower level of the jobs market, transport links and suitable business premises, so the economy can expand more.

From the Paper
"Brighton and Hove (B&H) is situated in the south east of England within the most prosperous region outside of London, benefiting from this, it has turned it's economy around from unemployment rates as high as 12% during the 80's down to rates of around 2%. In many ways it reflects the changes put on the whole country as it has moved from the industrial base of the 70s towards the providing of services now seen all over western economies. This change while improving the local area and the standards of living for its inhabitants and employees also brings new problems and challenges such as the business cycle, inflation and the risk of unemployment that they may bring and these problems must be met by local and central governments."

Tags:economic, partnership, strategy, London, western, employees, business

Abstract
The paper reviews the theory of oligopolistic competition from the perspective of the non-collusive, conjectural variation models of Augustin Cournot and Heinrich Freiherr von Stackleberg, within which firms compete according to output. The paper then discusses the application of these theories in the evaluation of the contention that non-collusion is the inevitable outcome of oligopoly. The paper concludes that it is wrong to assume that non-collusion is the inevitable outcome of oligopoly, since collusion can and does occur. The paper notes, however, that in most situations arising from economic competition in oligopoly markets, collusion is rarely possible.

From the Paper
"The study of oligopolistic markets is inherently more difficult than that of monopolistic or perfectly competitive markets as it deals with the way firms interact with each other as well as with consumers. In an oligopoly, a small number of large firms dominate a particular industry and produce identical or closely substitutable products. Firms in an oligopolistic industry are interdependent, thus the central problem faced by a firm in oligopoly is that its decisions affect the price and quantity choices of its rivals; the likely response of other firms is a major factor influencing its own price and output decisions. An oligopolist therefore cannot take its demand curve as given as equilibrium output depends on enterprise behaviour. Possibilities range from the competitive outcome of the Cournot model with competing firms to the monopoly equilibrium characteristic of a cartel. Hence there is a general indeterminacy that lies at the heart of the oligopoly market structure."

Tags:output, competition, equilibrium, monopoly, Cournot, Stackleberg, microeconomics

Abstract
This paper examines the housing industry from an economic perspective. Various factors that affect housing are considered, such as the impact of price elasticity on the housing market and supply and demand. The author also explores other issues such as wage inequality and inflation. The author concludes by citing the economy's overall influence on the housing industry.

Price Elasticity
Negative and Positive Externalizes
Wage Inequality
Monetary and Fiscal Policies

From the Paper
"There are several factors that can influence the housing industry economically. Supply and demand coupled with price elasticity can affect the housing industry. Negative and positive externalities, wage inequality, and the monetary and fiscal policies can all have substantial affect the industry of new homes. It must also be determined exactly how the economy affects the industry in both positive and negative ways."

Tags:supply, demand, price, elasticity, wage, inequality, externalities, monetary, fiscal, housing, industry, economics

Abstract
This paper discusses various aspects of auction theory and practice. Various types of auction are described with their solutions. A brief discussion of relevant theory is presented. Some recent real-life auctions are observed. In conclusion a brief discussion of what contributes towards a successful auction is included.

From the Paper
"Auction design can play a critical role in the success of an auction. Recent mobile phone spectrum license auctions in Europe and other examples serve to highlight this point. In 2000 six European countries auctioned off spectrum licenses for "3G" (third-generation) technology mobile phones. UK and German auctions generated the huge level of revenues that had been predicted while Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland all suffered significant problems in lost revenues and accusations of collusion. Klemperer (2002) points out several reasons why poor auction design contributed to these failures."

Tags:economics, game, klemperer, theory