Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is an economic system?
The way a country organizes its resources and distributes goods and services to its citizens
The answer to the following questions define a country’s economic situation
- What should the country produce and in what quantities?
- How should scarce resources such as labour and capital be allocated?
- How should goods and services be distributed throughout the country?
- What should be the price of the goods and services?
Economic system: Market economy (definition)
- Determined by free competition, - in which businesses, consumers, and government act independently of one another
- market forces and self interest determine what goods are created and sold
In a market economy: (4)
- corporations and people are encouraged to own private property
- Profit belongs to business owners and they can choose how to spend it
- companies compete in terms quality, services, prices, reputation, and warranties
- consumers have greater selection and companies have an incentive to innovate
Economic system: centrally planned economy (definition)
- government controls all elements of the economy
Prices, wages, production
In a centrally planned economy: (4)
- ownership of property is restricted
- all profit belongs to the government
- all workers are employed by the government
- competition is limited - government determines price, quality, style, and amount of goods and services
Economic system: Mixed economy
- sits between a market economy and a centrally planned economy combining government intervention and private enterprise
In a mixed economy: (3)
- property is owned by individual, corporations, or government
- Profit is encouraged, but taxed to support government projects and programs
- strong competition amongst corporations (government may be a competitor)
3 types of economic systems
- Market
- Centrally planned
- Mixed
Political system
The type of government by which a country is run
Democracy ( definition + 5)
- a state governed by all eligible members of the population through elected representatives
1. free and fair elections
2. the rule of law
3. free speech and press
4. the right to assembly
5. freedom of religion
Negatives of democracy (2)
- politicians may be more concerned with re-election than the good of the country
- bias because large corporations give money to political parties
Autocracy
A state governed by a single individual or small group of people with unlimited power
- strong military presence
- strive to control all aspects of citizens’ lives
- citizens have no influence on government
Undeveloped countries (definition + 7)
( least developed / 3rd world )
- nations that are at the lowest level of the worlds economy
1. severe poverty
2. lack of social services
3. poor infrastructure
4. low literacy rate
5. limited access to technology
6. agriculture/resource based economies
7. long term political issues (war, dictatorship)
Developing countries (definition + 4)
( emerging / 2nd world)
- nations in transition from a poor economy to a prosperous one
1. improved literacy rates
2. increased access to health care, social services, and technology advancements
3. a move away from a resource based economy to a manufacturing economy base
4. populations moving from rural areas to cities
Developed countries (definition + 3)
(Industrialized / 1st world)
- high per capita income or strong grow domestic product
1. reliance on secondary and predominantly tertiary industries
2. high standard of living
3. major advancements in health care and technology
GDP
Gross domestic product
The total goods and services produced in one country in one year
GNP
Gross national product
- the total value of goods produced and services provided by a country during one year
- equal to the gross domestic product plus the net income from foreign investment
What is is the business cycle
Recurring periods of increased and decreased economic activity, or expansion and contractions.