Trailblazers or burnt-out? Young writers explore the economics of South America
QE’s in-house Economics magazine has proved so popular throughout the School that it has been opened up to younger boys for the first time.
Issue 23 of The Econobethan, which has as its theme South America Uncovered, features contributions from boys in every year group from Year 7 right through to the Sixth Form. In addition to Economics, it includes articles related to Politics, History and Sociology.
Economics teacher Celia Wallace said: “It’s another brilliant edition – this time on all things South American. This magazine is entirely student-run – their topics, their ideas, their articles.”
Twenty submitted pieces, spread over 35 pages, are divided into two sections – on Economic Development and Economic Setbacks.
In their introduction, the Year 12 editorial team of Shuban Singh, Adithya Raghuraman, Shourya Garg, Zain Ahmed explain this division: “The continent of South America currently stands at a crossroad of economic transformation…South America’s attempts at growth have been both dynamic and challenging; shaped by the different policy experimentation and integration into the global market. [The Economic Development] section delves into this pursuit of economic expansion, where reforms have coexisted alongside certain vulnerabilities.
“Yet, despite progress, profound structural weaknesses persist as financial crises, inflation, corruption, and political instability continue to undermine long-term growth. [The Economic Setback] section examines the vulnerabilities that have held South America back, as well as the policy choices that may determine its future trajectory.”
The young writers range far and wide both in terms of themes and geography. For example, Year 12’s Amogh Pai looks at The Ecuador-Canada Trade Deal, while Mukunth Natarajan, also of Year 12, explores How the Metrocable Transformed Medellin (covering the impact of a gondola lift in Colombia’s second-largest city). From among the Lower School writers, Year 7’s Ibrahim Abbas digs into The Lithium Boom in South America.
Year 11 pupil Shubhay Chawla focuses on 20th-century history with his article, US Cold War Policy’s Impact on South America, as does Zain Ahmed in his study of a famous South American dictator’s economic policy, Pinochet and Chile’s Intro to Neoliberalism.
Others, however, fix their attention firmly on the years and decades to come: Azlaan Ali, of Year 8, asks How will Foreign Direct Investment Impact South America? and Mayank Jagetia, of Year 9, considers Is Dollarisation the Future for South America?
- Those with access to the eQE portal may read this and previous editions of The Econobethan here.