2019-2020
What, if anything, should government do to address the adverse consequences of free trade for some firms and individuals?
2018-2019
Use economics to describe and defend an effective immigration policy.
2017-2018
Should the federal government increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour?
2016-2017
Can the U.S. economy still grow the way it once did?
2015-2016
What change in the American K-12 education system would result in the most cost-effective improvement in student outcomes?
2014-2015
What are the most important influences on economic inequality in the United States?
2013-2014
The Federal Reserve: The Next 100 Years
2012-2013
How should North Dakota handle its oil boom?
2011-2012
What is the value of higher education?
2010-2011
What role, if any, should government play in job creation?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
2009-2010
What economic factors may be contributing to the problem of obesity, and how can economics be applied to address the problem?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
2008-2009
What role, if any, should the government play in energy markets?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography [PDF]
2007-2008
Hamilton vs. Jefferson: Whose economic vision was better?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
2006-2007
Is immigration good or bad for the U.S. economy?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
2005-2006
What economic lessons can be drawn from an illegal drug deal?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
2004-2005
Why are some countries rich and some countries poor?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
- Glossary
2003-2004
What role, if any, should the government play in addressing income inequality?
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
2002-2003
Select a major problem concerning the ecological environment. Using economic analysis, show how this problem could be addressed.
- Essay Contest Finalists
Advanced Economics
First Place Essay (Overall Winner) — Second Place Essay
Standard Economics
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Bibliography
2001-2002
Is there a housing shortage? What role should the government play in the housing market?
2000-2001
The Great Depression: Could it happen again?
1999-2000
What does this 1973 picture, of a gas station without gas to see, imply about how markets work? How can the lessons portrayed in the picture guide policymakers today?
1998-99
What economic lessons can be drawn from this painting of a bustling sixteenth century Dutch market?
1997-98
Why do some countries grow faster than others? What, if anything, can a central bank do to enhance economic growth?
- Essay Contest Finalists
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay - Topic Background
- Glossary
- Bibliography
1996-97
Should states be permitted to use targeted incentives to recruit businesses?
- Essay Contest Finalists
First Place Essay — Second Place Essay (Tie) — Second Place Essay (Tie) - Topic Background
1995-96
What exchange rate system should central banks adopt?
1994-95
What role should the Federal Reserve Play in the payments system?
1993-1994
Is the Community Reinvestment Act a necessary and effective tool for eliminating discrimination in lending?
1991-1992
Is reform of the banking system necessary and, if so, what types of reform would be most effective?
1990-1991
How successful has the floating exchange rate system been compared to the fixed exchange rate system? And, what modifications would you recommend, if any?
1989
Is the Federal Reserve Too Independent?