1. You are employed as a research assistant by a group representing the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (e.g. a Chamber of Commerce). Using contemporary source material (e.g. the...

1. You are employed as a research assistant by a group representing the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (e.g. a Chamber of Commerce). Using contemporary source material (e.g. the Internet, manifestos, etc.), produce a draft report highlighting current government policy for the SME sector. 2 Imagine you are employed as a political lobbyist, with a special interest in conservation issues. You have been approached by a local conservation group which is concerned about government plans to build a bypass around a village in its area. The government’s proposals for the road would cause significant damage to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the group is determined to oppose the plans. Your brief is to draft an ‘action plan’ for the group, indicating what forms of pressure group activity you would recommend, in what sequence and using which channels of potential influence. 3. To what extent do you agree with the proposition that the market economy is the ‘best’ form of economic system? Do you have any reservations? 4. Explain how interest rates could be used to boost the economy. Why, then, do governments frequently hesitate to take such steps? 5. Using circular flow analysis, suggest why a large programme of capital expenditure by government (e.g. on new motorways, roads, railways) will benefit businesses. How could such a programme be financed? 6. Which businesses are likely to benefit from a recovery in a country’s housing market?