Английский язык для экономистов - Малюга Е.Н.
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1.2. Questions for discussion.
1. Do you agree with the author of the article that Europe is our second 'Motherland?
2. In your opinion what is the most reliable partner for Russia — Europe or the USA? Prove your point of view.
J- Case study
J.l. Here is an abstract from the article "Dark Skies to the East" published in uThe Economist" on February 21st, 2004. Read the abstract and do the tasks.
Dark Skies to the East
Can Russia, after centuries of autocracy and imperialism, be turned into a sort of nice democratic country that gets along easily with its European neighbours? The answer seems to be: not for a while yet, to judge from a policy paper released by the European Commission, which suggests that relations between the Union and Russia are close to a post-Soviet low.
The Commission calls for "discussing Russian practices that run counter to universal and European values." It says Russia has problems with democracy, human rights and press freedom. It points to rows over the environment, trade, border regimes and technical co-operation. It says aid to Russia has had "at best mixed" results: and it chides Russia for "assertive" behaviour towards neighbours. Unit 13. Russia in the World Economy
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The EU will embrace ten countries in all, seven of which were subjects or satellites of the Soviet Union. As these countries impose tight EU visa rules and close their markets to Russian goods Russia has been jolted into realizing that EU enlargement will effect it much more in practical terms than the eastward advance by the NATO.
So Russia has redirected its diplomatic firepower. It wants to renegotiate its "partnership and co-operation agreement" with the EU. It has put forward a list of 14 big items — from trade concessions to visa-free travel — that it wants brought into the negotiations.
J.2. Write down the Pros and Cons of the joining the EU.
Pros Cons
J.3. Make an interview of a western journalist with the Russian government official about the perspectives of the "joined Europe."
J.4. Think of and discuss the mutual claims of Russian and the European Union and their possible relationships. Unit 14
International Trade
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A, Preliminary discussion
1. What are the major Russian exports and imports?
2. Do you think international trade affects consumption possibilities?
3. What is the World Trade Organization (WTO) and how does it help foster multilateral trade?
B, Pre-reading exercises
B.l. Skim the text and give its key idea.
B.2. Scan the text and answer the questions.
1. What is the essence of international specialization?
2. What is a surplus? Give an example.
3. What are visibles and invisibles? Give examples.
4. What is the definition of "import duties"?
5. What is embargo?
C Reading
C.l. Read the text and answer the questions.
1. Why does the United Kingdom need to sell to other countries?
2. How do we call goods and services sold to other countries? Analyze this process.
3. What differences in language do you know?
4. What company can act like an insurance one and why?
5. Who may provide different goods and services?
6. What for are bonded warehouses used?
7. What are the main features of bonded warehouses? Unit 14. International Trade
243
8. What are the functions of HM Customs and Excise?
9. How are taxes on imports collected in HM Custom and Excise?
10. When can quotas be imposed? Give an example.
International Specialization
Jones Bill
Countries would find it very difficult to produce all the goods and services which they might need and not have to buy any from other countries. It pays countries, therefore, to concentrate on the production of particular goods and services.
As a result of specializing a country produces a surplus, that is, more goods and services than it needs for its own consumption. For example, a country might produce 500,000 cars yet only sells 100,000 of these cars within the country. This leaves a surplus of 400,000 cars. The surplus produced by one country will then need to be exchanged for the goods and services it cannot produce. Thus the 400,000 cars will be sold to other countries and the money received used to buy, for example, the oil that the country needs but cannot produce. Countries, therefore, have to take part in foreign trade which is the buying and selling of goods between countries.
The Importance of International Trade to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom needs to buy from other countries for several reasons. Some raw materials do not occur in the United Kingdom; for example, the United Kingdom cannot produce large quantities of gold. The country does not have the right climate to grow certain products. For instance it would be difficult to grow oranges here and it is easier to buy them from countries such as Spain. Some goods would be too expensive to produce; for example, the United Kingdom no longer produces motorcycles because it is cheaper for Japan to produce them. International trade gives the people in the United Kingdom the chance to buy a variety of goods and services from all over the world, such as coffee from Brazil and tourist services from Spain.
