Subjective / Written Questions (25)
1. Compare Cournot, Bertrand and Stackelberg oligopoly models in terms of strategic variables and timing.
2. Explain collusive and non-collusive oligopoly and analyse joint-profit maximisation.
3. Discuss Chamberlin’s small-group oligopoly and the kinked-demand approach to oligopolistic pricing.
4. Explain monopolistic competition and compare its equilibrium implications with perfect competition.
5. Critically assess the marginalist approach to the theory of the firm and the welfare implications of imperfect competition.
6. Compare Pareto optimality with the Kaldor-Hicks compensation principle and explain their different standards.
7. Explain Bergson’s social welfare function and the informational/ethical assumptions embedded in welfare aggregation.
8. Critically discuss the Pigou effect, wealth effect and alternative consumption-function hypotheses.
9. Explain the IS-LM framework and the interaction of goods-market and money-market equilibrium.
10. Compare Smith, Ricardo and J.S. Mill on the basis of international trade and gains from trade.
11. Explain Marshall-Edgeworth offer curves and reciprocal demand in determining the terms of trade.
12. Discuss Haberler’s opportunity-cost theory and Heckscher’s critique of classical trade theory.
13. Analyse terms of trade and the relationship between changes in terms of trade and gains from trade.
14. Explain the Prebisch-Singer hypothesis and its relevance to primary-commodity exporters.
15. Discuss immiserizing growth and the conditions under which growth could theoretically reduce welfare.
16. Explain balance of payments disequilibrium and distinguish current-account and capital/financial transactions.
17. Compare purchasing-power-parity and balance-of-payments approaches to exchange-rate determination.
18. Explain fixed versus flexible exchange rates and the role of exchange-market intervention.
19. Discuss unemployment and poverty as development-policy problems and evaluate policy trade-offs.
20. Analyse India’s population policy and the demographic implications for development, including the Uttar Pradesh context.
21. Discuss environmental problems and the rationale for a national environmental policy.
22. Evaluate industrial policy, competition policy and the role of public/private sectors.
23. Discuss MSME policy and the energy-sector constraints affecting industrial development.
24. Analyse agricultural price policy, food policy and the public distribution system as instruments of food security.
25. Discuss foreign trade policy, export promotion, exchange-rate policy and policies toward foreign capital inflows.