4.1 International economics Flashcards
Globalisation
An expansion of world trade in goods and services leading to greater international interdependence.
Interdependence
When countries become reliant on each other. Their economies are closely linked through trade, production, finance and migration.
Containerisation
Technology of massive ship containers to transport goods. A cause of globalisation through lowering transport costs.
ICT
Information and Communications Technology (Internet) which has reduced the cost of communication and to almost zero.
Specialisation
When a person, firm or country concentrates on doing one thing.
Absolute advantage
The ability to produce a good or service at a lower cost or with fewer resources than your competitors.
Comparative advantage
The ability to produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than your competitors.
Balance of Payments
(B of P)
A set of accounts showing the transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world – sets out exports, imports and flows of money. The Balance of Payments has two parts – the Current Account, and the Capital or Financial Account.
Current Account
a) the value imports and the value of exports of goods and services b) net income payments received from/paid to abroad and c) government transfers (international aid to developing countries or money we pay to the EU).
Financial/Capital Account
Financial Account includes any trade of Foreign Exchange reserves as well as the buying and selling of assets held in different countries. If the current account is a deficit, the financial account will be a surplus.
Balance of Trade
Value of Exports minus the value of imports of physical goods as well as invisible services.
Global imbalances
The spread of trade balances is very unequal – Britain & the USA are running huge current account deficits whilst China, Russia, Germany and middle eastern oil states are running massive surpluses.
Trading bloc
A group of countries who agree some level of Free Trade (international trade without restrictions) between them.
Free Trade Area
A group of countries who abolish tariffs and quotas to allow the free movement of goods between them. The North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) is a good example – including the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Common (or single) Market
A Free Trade Area which also has free movement of services and factors of production (land, labour, capital, profits) between members, using harmonised rules. Example: The EU.
