Economics Definition

EasyToUseArithmetic avatar
EasyToUseArithmetic
·
·
Download

Start Quiz

Study Flashcards

30 Questions

What is the origin of the term 'Economics'?

Greek

Which book by Adam Smith is associated with the early belief that Economics focuses on increasing a nation's material wealth?

The Wealth of Nations

According to Alfred Marshall, what does Economics study?

Human behavior in ordinary life

What aspect of welfare does Bejo claim Economics studies?

Economic welfare

What do the socialist economists focus on in their definition of Economics?

Social laws governing the production and distribution of material means

What are the two types of goods mentioned?

Physical goods and non-material goods

What characterizes an economic good?

It is useful and rare.

What is Microeconomics primarily concerned with?

Individual and business issues

What is the key difference between a free good and an economic good?

A free good is available to satisfy everyone’s needs without payment.

What problem does microeconomics primarily address?

Price determination and quantity

What does production mean in economic terms?

Increasing the satisfaction capacity of a good

What did the term 'Oikous' originally refer to in Greek?

The household

What determines the productive capacity of a country?

The available productive resources

What are techniques of production?

The set of permitted production methods for all goods

What is a static analysis?

An analysis that indirectly refers to the process achieving equilibrium

What distinguishes dynamic analysis from static analysis?

It includes the element of time as a crucial factor.

How does economics relate to political science?

It connects with state policies and funding

What is the primary focus of business administration within the capitalist system?

Maximizing project profits or growth

Which approach does economics use alongside deductive methods?

Inductive methods

Which type of science does economics fall under?

Social science

What is a key function of economics?

Gaining knowledge on production, distribution, and consumption

How does economics relate to psychology?

By studying human origin, evolution, customs, and beliefs

Which of the following fields use logical reasoning similar to economics?

Engineering

In what way does business administration's analysis differ from economics?

It concentrates on efficient project management and profit maximization

From which civilization is the term 'economics' derived?

Greek

Who was the first to introduce the seeds of economic theory?

Aristotle

Which book is considered a significant marker for the beginning of economics as a science?

The Wealth of Nations

Which problem highlights the need to make choices due to limited resources?

Scarcity

What is necessary when faced with the problem of scarcity?

Making effective allocation decisions

Which of the following schools of thought is NOT mentioned as an early economic school?

Keynesians

Study Notes

Definition of Economics

  • The term "Economics" originates from Greek, derived from two words: "oikous" meaning household and "nomos" meaning management or law.
  • Economics is the study of household management, which implies the efficient use of limited resources to meet unlimited wants.

Subfields of Economics

  • Microeconomics: studies individual economic units, such as firms and households, focusing on price determination and the behavior of economic agents.
  • Macroeconomics: examines the economy as a whole, analyzing issues like economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.

Basic Economic Concepts

  • Goods: anything that satisfies human wants, classified into material goods (tangible) and intangible services.
  • Economic goods: scarce goods that require payment, unlike free goods, which are abundant and free.
  • Production: the creation of utility or value addition to goods and services.
  • Utility: the ability of a good or service to satisfy human wants.
  • Factors of production: resources required for production, including labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Economic Analysis

  • Static analysis: a method of economic analysis that examines the equilibrium state of an economy, ignoring time and focusing on the relationships between variables.
  • Dynamic analysis: a method that considers the effects of time on economic variables, analyzing the economy's dynamic behavior.

Relationship between Economics and Other Sciences

  • Economics is closely related to politics, as it studies the behavior of governments and institutions in resource allocation and policy-making.
  • Economics is also connected to business administration, as both fields deal with the management of resources and decision-making.
  • Additionally, economics is linked to psychology, sociology, and other social sciences, as human behavior and social structures influence economic phenomena.

Development of Economics

  • The concept of economics evolved from ancient civilizations, with Aristotle being one of the first to lay the foundations of economic theory.
  • The term "economics" was coined in the 18th century, and the discipline has since developed into a distinct field of study.
  • Significant contributors to the development of economics include Adam Smith, who published "The Wealth of Nations" in 1776.

The Problem of Scarcity

  • Scarcity is a fundamental characteristic of economic resources, leading to the necessity of choice and resource allocation.
  • The problem of scarcity highlights the importance of efficient resource allocation and optimal decision-making.

Learn about the origin and definition of economics, tracing back to Aristotle and the Greek words 'oikos' and 'nomos'. Understand the concept of managing household resources and its evolution.

Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards

Convert your notes into interactive study material.

Get started for free

More Quizzes Like This

Economics Key Concepts
10 questions

Economics Key Concepts

GraciousDifferential avatar
GraciousDifferential
Economics Basics
14 questions

Economics Basics

GraciousDifferential avatar
GraciousDifferential
Economics: Supply and Demand
9 questions

Economics: Supply and Demand

StatuesquePrehistoricArt avatar
StatuesquePrehistoricArt
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser