Questions and Answers
What is scarcity?
The conflict between unlimited wants and limited resources.
What is a market economy?
Business and individuals are free to make their own decisions as they buy and sell in their own marketplace.
What is capitalism?
Economic resources are privately owned by individuals rather than the government.
What is free enterprise?
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What is a marketplace?
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What is private enterprise?
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What is private property?
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What is profit?
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What is profit motive?
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What is competition in business?
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What are the major differences between a command economy and a market economy?
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What is the most important characteristic of a market economy?
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What countries have adopted market economies?
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What changes would a citizen find when transitioning from a traditional to a market economy?
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Study Notes
Economic Concepts
- Scarcity: Represents the tension between endless human wants and finite resources available.
- Market Economy: Characterized by freedom for businesses and individuals to make their buying and selling decisions independently within a marketplace.
- Capitalism: Economic system where resources are owned privately rather than by the government, promoting individual ownership.
- Free Enterprise: Individual business owners possess the autonomy to determine production decisions without government interference.
- Marketplace: Physical or digital spaces where buyers and sellers engage in commerce.
Property and Profit
- Private Enterprise: Right of individuals to own businesses and select markets with minimal governmental involvement.
- Private Property: Legal right to own, utilize, and transfer items of value.
- Profit: Financial gain calculated by subtracting business expenses from income, rewarding risk-taking.
- Profit Motive: Drives individuals to innovate and satisfy consumer needs to achieve financial success.
Competition
- Competition: The struggle among businesses to attract consumers by selling products and services.
Economic Systems
- Command vs. Market Economy: Key difference lies in control; government-manages production in command economies, while market economies favor individual freedoms in production choices.
- Importance of Market Freedom: Essential trait of a market economy; it allows business owners to operate freely, influencing product availability and quality.
Global Context
- Transition to Market Economies: Many countries that previously had command economies have shifted to market economies to enhance freedom and production capabilities.
Personal Impact of Economic Transition
- Changes from Traditional to Market Economy: Citizens would likely experience faster economic transactions, easier production with modern tools, and a greater variety of buying options.
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Description
Explore fundamental concepts of economics with these flashcards from Section 1.1. Key terms like scarcity, market economy, capitalism, and free enterprise are covered to enhance your understanding of economic principles. Perfect for students and anyone interested in economics.