Autumn First Half Term Flashcards
Command or planned economy
Economic system where government allocates resources in society
Basic economic problem
Resources have to be allocated between competing uses because wants are infinite whilst resources are scarce
Free market economy
Economic system which allocates resources through market mechanism
Mixed ecomony
Both the free market mechanism and the government plannig process allocate resources
Factors of production
Inputs to the production process ( land, labour, capital, entrepreneurship)
Consumer surplus
Difference between how much buyers are prepared to pay for a good and what they actually pay
Producer surplus
Difference between price sellers receive and how much they need to remain in the market
Inferior good
Demand falls when incomes increase
Normal good
Demand increases when incomes increase
Joint supply
When two or more goods are produced together
Price / market mechanism
Prices respond to changes in demand and supply for a product which has a signalling/ rationing affect and moves market to a new equilibrium
Normative statement
Value judgement
Positive statement
Can be supported or refuted by evidence
Opportunity cost
Benefits forgone of next best alternative
Production Possibility Frontier
Curve which shows maximum potential level of output with all resources fully and efficiently employed
Specialisation
System of organisation where economic units such as households or nations are not self sufficient but concentrate on producing certain goods and services and trading surplus with others
Subsidy
Grant given by government to encourage production of good/ service
Scarcity
Inefficient resources to meet all demands
Investment
If a society wishes to expand its stock of capital goods to produce more in the future , it must sacrifice present consumption
Gains from specialisation
1) Higher output - total production increases & quality is improved
2) Variety- consumers have access to a greater variety & higher quality products
3) bigger market- specialisation and global trade increase size of market offering opportunities for economies of scale
Competition& lower prices- increased competition acts as incentive to minimise costs , keep prices down & maintains low inflation
Division of labour
When production is broken down into many separate tasks
Raises output per person as people become proficient through constant repetition
G in in productivity lowers cost per unit and ought to lead to lower prices for consumers
Limitations of division of Labour (4)
1) Unrewarding repetitive work that requires little skill lowers motivation and hits productivity. Workers have less pride in work and quality suffered. Dissatisfied workers = less punctual & rate of absenteeism increases
2) choose to move to less boring jobs - high worker turnover ( highest in retailing, catering, hotels)
3) some workers receive little training and may be unable to find alternative jobs - structural unemployment
4) mass produces standardised goods - lack variety for consumers
Specialisation of highly developed countries
Comparative advantage is shifting towards specialising in high value - technology manufactured goods and high -knoledge services
Factors affecting demand
Price
Other prices : complements & substitutes
Income
Preferences