Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of macroeconomics?
What is the term for the value of the next best alternative that is given up when a choice is made?
In a command economy, resources are allocated by:
What is the term for the situation in which all available labor resources are being used?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Economics
Definition
- Study of how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make decisions about how to allocate limited resources to meet their unlimited wants and needs.
Branches of Economics
- Microeconomics: Study of individual economic units, such as households, firms, and markets.
- Macroeconomics: Study of the economy as a whole, focusing on issues like economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.
Key Concepts
- Scarcity: The fundamental economic problem of unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources.
- Opportunity Cost: The value of the next best alternative that is given up when a choice is made.
- Supply and Demand: The price and quantity of a good or service are determined by the intersection of the supply and demand curves.
- Market Equilibrium: The point at which the supply and demand curves intersect, resulting in no excess supply or demand.
Economic Systems
- Market Economy: Resources are allocated based on market forces, with private ownership and minimal government intervention.
- Command Economy: Resources are allocated by the government, with state ownership and control.
- Mixed Economy: Combination of market and command economies, with a mix of private and public ownership.
Economic Goals
- Economic Growth: Increase in the production of goods and services over time.
- Price Stability: Low and stable rate of inflation.
- Full Employment: Situation in which all available labor resources are being used.
Economic Indicators
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders.
- Inflation Rate: Rate of change in the general price level of goods and services.
- Unemployment Rate: Percentage of the labor force that is currently unemployed.
Economics
Definition
- Economics is the study of how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make decisions about how to allocate limited resources to meet their unlimited wants and needs.
Branches of Economics
Microeconomics
- Studies individual economic units, such as:
- Households
- Firms
- Markets
Macroeconomics
- Studies the economy as a whole, focusing on issues like:
- Economic growth
- Inflation
- Unemployment
Key Concepts
Scarcity
- The fundamental economic problem of:
- Unlimited wants and needs
- Limited resources
Opportunity Cost
- The value of the next best alternative that is given up when a choice is made
Supply and Demand
- The price and quantity of a good or service are determined by the:
- Intersection of the supply and demand curves
Market Equilibrium
- The point at which the supply and demand curves intersect, resulting in:
- No excess supply or demand
Economic Systems
Market Economy
- Resources are allocated based on:
- Market forces
- Private ownership
- Minimal government intervention
Command Economy
- Resources are allocated by:
- The government
- State ownership and control
Mixed Economy
- Combination of market and command economies, with:
- A mix of private and public ownership
Economic Goals
Economic Growth
- Increase in the production of goods and services over time
Price Stability
- Low and stable rate of inflation
Full Employment
- Situation in which all available labor resources are being used
Economic Indicators
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders
Inflation Rate
- Rate of change in the general price level of goods and services
Unemployment Rate
- Percentage of the labor force that is currently unemployed
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Understand the fundamentals of economics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, and key concepts like scarcity.