1:2:1 How Markets Work (2) Flashcards
How is price determined in a competitive market?
By the interaction of supply and demand
What is meant by equilibrium?
The price where the Quantity Demanded (QD) equals the Quantity Supplied (S) for a good or service in the market
In equilibrium there is […….] tendency for price or quantity to change
No
What is meant by Excess Supply?
Where the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded for a good at the current market price
In a free market can price remain above the equilibrium position for long?
No
How do producers get rid of a surplus of supply?
- Producers Reduce Prices
- Encourages consumers to buy more
When producers reduce their prices to get rid of a surplus what happens to demand?
There is an extension in demand
What is meant by excess demand?
Where the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied for a good at the current market price
When there is excess demand in a market what do consumers and producers do?
- Consumers tend to bid up prices in order to obtain the good
- This encourages producer to supply more
What happens to supply and demand when there is excess demand?
- Supply Extends
- Demand Contracts
- Until equilibrium is reached
What did Adam Smith refer the price mechanism to?
The ‘invisible hand’
What automatically eliminates Surpluses and Shortages in a market?
The price mechanism (‘invisible hand’ Adam Smith)
What is the Price Mechanism?
The use of market forces to allocate resources in order to solve the economic problem, of unlimited wants and limited resources.
What is price?
The exchange value of a good / service
What are the different functions of the Price Mechanism?
- Rationing Device
- Incentive Device
- Signalling Device
Price mechanism - Rationing Device.
- Resources are scarce, which means that goods and services produced from them are limited in supply
- Price mechanism allocated these goods and services to those who are prepared to pay for them.
- In effect, Price will rise or fall until equilibrium is reached between the quantity demanded and quantity supplied
Price mechanism - Incentive Device.
- Rising prices tend to act as an incentive to firms to produce more of a good or service since higher profits can be earned
- Rising Prices also means firms are able to cover extra costs involved with increasing output
Price mechanism - Signalling Device.
- Indicates Change In the conditions of demand or supply.
Any of the factors which may shift demand or supply curves will lead to a change in [……..] of a good or service
Price
What is a Consumer Surplus?
Is the extra amount of money Consumers are prepared to pay for a good or service above what they actually pay.
- Is the satisfaction gained in the excess of the amount paid for it
What is a Producer Surplus?
- The extra amount of money paid to producers above what they are willing to accept to supply a good / service.
- Extra earnings obtained by a producer above the minimum required for the to supply the product
What effect will an increase in demand have on Consumer and Producer surpluses?
Raise both consumer and producer surpluses (assuming Ceteris Paribus)
What affect will a decrease in the supply of good have on consumer and producer surpluses?
Reduce consumer and producer surpluses
What is a tax?
A compulsory charge made by the government, on goods, services, incomes or capital.
What is the purpose of taxes?
To raise funds to pay for government spending programmes.
What are the two types of tax?
Direct and indirect tax.
What is direct tax?
Is levied directly on an individual or organisation.
- Generally paid on incomes.
- Eg. Income Tax, Cooperation tax
What is an Indirect Tax?
A tax imposed on goods or services supplied by businesses. Includes both specific and as Valorem taxes
What does an Indirect Tax represent?
A tax on expenditure
What are the two different types of indirect tax?
- Specific
- Ad Valorem
What is a Specific Tax?
Is charged as a fixed amount per unit of a good.
- Eg. An exercise tax
What is an Ad Valorem Tax?
Is charged as a percentage of the price of a good.
- eg. VAT
The imposition of indirect tax raises the [……..] of goods and services
Price
When an indirect tax is applied what happens to supply?
- Supply Curve shifts upwards and to the left (decrease in supply)