1. BASIC ECONOMIC PROBLEM & RESOURCE ALLOCATION Flashcards

1
Q

Fundamental economic problem

A

Scarcity, unlimited wants, limited resources

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2
Q

Opportunity cost

A

Next best alternative foregone when making an economic decision

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3
Q

3 main basic economic questions

A

What to produce
For whom to produce
How to produce

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4
Q

Positive statements

A

Based on scientific/ factual evidence
No valued judgement involved

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5
Q

Normative statements

A

Not based on scientific/ factual evidence
Subjective & valued judgement involved

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6
Q

Short run

A

A period during which at least one factor of production is fixed, cannot increase some FOPs in such short time (e.g construction of new building, investments on machinery= fixed, but labour, can always hire more)

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7
Q

Long run

A

A period during which all factors of production can be adjusted

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8
Q

Very long run

A

A period during which all inputs, technology & societal preferences can change

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9
Q

Human capital

A

Intangible
Skill/ expertise gained through training

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10
Q

Physical capital

A

Tangible
Machinery/ tools used to aid production

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11
Q

Specialisation

A

Focusing on the production at a specific good where they have an advantage over others

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12
Q

Advantages of specialisation

A

Increased expertise increased quality

Increased efficiency/ productivity

Effective resource allocation

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13
Q

Disadvantages of specialisation

A

Limited skill diversity, occupational immobility, may lead to unemployment

Structured unemployment

Tedious boredom

Decreased quality, decrease productivity

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14
Q

Market economy characteristics

A

No gov intervention involved
Allocation of resources purely done through market forces of demand & supply

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15
Q

Advantages of market economy

A

Efficiency, efficient allocation of resources, as purely done through demand & supply

Optimum production, reduce waste

Increased consumer choice

Better quality & lower prices as private firms compete

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16
Q

Disadvantages of market economy

A

Income inequality
- successful individuals = wealthy
- increased inequality gap

Lack of public goods as private firms aim is profit

Negative externalities as gov not involved.

17
Q

Planned economy characteristics

A

Gov controls how, what, and for whom to produce

18
Q

Advantages of planned economy

A

Decreased inequality due to
- gov regulations (e.g progressive tax)
- aims to redistribute wealth

Provision of public goods

Priority to essential services

19
Q

Mixed economy characteristics

A

Both market forces & gov intervention involved

Both public & private sectors

19
Q

Disadvantages of planned economy

A

Lack of innovation/ incentive, no profit incentives

Lack of consumer choice as all determined by gov on what to produce

No profit/ competition incentives, decrease productivity & efficiency- lower economic growth

19
Q

Advantages of mixed economy

A

Address income inequality through help of gov

More provision of public goods

Redistribution of income through
- progressive tax
- welfare initiatives

19
Q

Disadvantages of mixed economy

A

Lacks clear direction as market forces & gov intervention clashes, tension between the two

Complexity & more challenging in decision making, market forces & gov intervention slows down responsiveness to consumer demand

19
Q

PPC movement

A

Occurs when more of one good is produced only by giving up production of another

19
Q

PPC outward shift

A

Economic growth- increased production capacity

Increased GDP

Increase in living standards

20
PPC inward shift
Economic decline/ recession- decreased production capacity
20
Free goods
Goods that are not scarce and does not have an opportunity cost
21
Private goods
Goods that scarce, and are excludable and rivalrous e.g cars, clothing
22
Public goods
Goods that are non excludable & non rivalrous
23