Global Economy & Financial Markets - Year 2 Macroeconomics Flashcards
term
definition
Define globalisation.
The ever increasing integration and interconnectedness of global economies into a single international market.
What are the main causes of globalisation?
- Improvements in transport infrastructure2. Improvements in communication and I.T.3. Trade liberalisation4. International financial markets5. Growth of Transnational Corporations (TNCs)
What are the impacts of globalisation on consumers?
+Greater choice of goods (luxury foreign goods)+Lower price (comparative advantage, reduced barriers to free trade)-May lead to higher prices as increasing incomes can increase demand for goods-Loss of culture
What are the impacts of globalisation on workers?
+TNCs create jobs and offer training for workers+Increased demand for high-skilled labour drives wages up-Inequality from poor working conditions and low wages for low-skilled workers-Inwards migration may lower wages (increased labour supply)
What are the impacts of globalisation on firms?
+Advanced technology brought in by TNCs may spillover into other industries+Risk-bearing economies of scale as they sell in more countries+Able to exploit cheap labour-Firms unable to compete with TNCs will die out
What are the impacts of globalisation on the government?
+Gain more tax revenue from TNCs paying corporation tax-TNCs have lobbying power over governments which can lead to corruption and bribery-Government may lose out from tax avoidance or evasion
What are the impacts of globalisation on the environment?
-Increased world production means more raw materials are mined-Therefore more global greenhouse emissions
What are the impacts of globalisation on economic growth?
+Encourages foreign direct investment (FDI)+Positive multiplier leads to greater final injection+Incentivises domestic firms to improve efficiency which can lead to greater net economic efficiency (LRAS increase)-If consumers import more than firms export, this can cause a trade deficit and counteract the economic growth
Define comparative advantage.
Where a country can produce a product at a lower opportunity cost than another.
Define absolute advantage.
Where a country can produce more goods with fewer inputs than other (therefore more efficiently).
What does the Law of Comparative Advantage state?
To maximise world efficiency in allocating scarce resources, countries should trade with one another and export the goods they have a comparative advantage in, this is mutually beneficial to both parties.
What are the limitations to the theory of comparative advantage?
It is assumed that:-No transport costs-Costs are constant and there are no economies of scale-Goods are homogenous-Factors of production are perfectly mobile-No tariffs-Perfect information
What are the advantages to specialisation and trade?
+World output can be increased if countries specialise+Economies of scale, reduces costs and prices+Market competition encourages innovation+Greater choice of goods
What are the disadvantages to specialisation and trade?
-Over dependence structural unemployment-Negative externalities on environment-Loss of autonomy and sovereignty
Define trading bloc.
An agreement between two or more countries to encourage free trade by reducing or eliminating protectionist barriers such as tariffs, quotas etc.
What is the difference between a bilateral and multilateral trade agreement?
A Bilateral trade agreement is between two countries. A Multilateral trade agreement is between more than two countries.
What is meant by economic integration?
The process by which separate economies become more interconnected through the reduction or elimination of trade barriers.
What are the six levels of increasing economic integration?
- Preferential Trade Agreement2. Free Trade Area3. Customs Union4. Common Market5. Monetary Union6. Economic Union
Advantages of trading blocs.
+Can lead to trade creation+Creates jobs if output is increased+Increased competition encourages innovation and efficiency+Larger consumer market leads to economies of scale+Greater choice of goods
Disadvantages of trading blocs.
-Can lead to trade diversion-Oligopolistic competition as inefficient firms driven out-Retaliation and trade disputes-Reduced national sovereignty
Preferential Trading Area (PTA)
Tariffs are reduced on selected goods
Advantages of Preferential Trading Area (PTA)
+Lower prices for consumers+Promotes intra-regional trade+Enhances world efficiency through specialisation
Disadvantages of Preferential Trading Area (PTA)
-Government spends resources on a unsubstantial trading bloc-Inefficiencies in resource allocation if inefficient producer produces goods
Advantages of Free Trade Area (FTA)
+Promotes intra-regional trade+Lower prices for consumers+Enhances world efficiency through specialisation
Free Trade Area (FTA)
All tariffs and quotas are removed between member countries, however they are free to impose their own tariffs on countries outside of the bloc.
Disadvantages of Free Trade Area (FTA)
-Government spends resources on a unsubstantial trading bloc-Can cause current account deficit
Advantages of Customs Union (CU)
+Promotes intra-regional trade+Stimulates competition and innovation+Enhances economic efficiency through specialisation
Customs Union (CU)
Free trade between members, and a Common External Tariff is placed on non-member nations.
Disadvantages of Customs Union (CU)
-Trade diversion-Retaliation and trade disputes from non-members
Common Market (CM)
Free movement of factors of production between members.
Advantages of Common Market (CM)
+Increased geographical mobility so workers are able to relocate+Transfer of skills, knowledge and technology
Disadvantages of Common Market (CM)
-Brain Drain-Unequal distribution of benefits
Monetary Union
Countries share the same central bank, monetary policy and currency.
What are the features of the Eurozone?
- Share a common currency: Euro2. CPI Inflation target is 2%3. Euro floats as a currency against the USD and GBP4. Member nations must not run large budget deficits (>3% of GDP)
Advantages of Monetary Union for Eurozone countries.
+Increases business confidence (non-fluctuating exchange rate and stable currency allows them to predict future investment plans)+Eliminates the cost of currency conversion+Protects currency against speculation and eliminates asymmetric information - prices easy to compare
Disadvantages of Monetary Union for Eurozone countries.
-Cost of changing currency is high (notes in circulation, menu, admin, removing old notes etc.)-Loss of Monetary Policy autonomy-Countries are unable to alter their exchange rates to change C.A balance-Increased interdependence between nations
What are the conditions required for the success of a Monetary Union (Optimal currency zone)?
- Free movement of capital and labour2. Automatic fiscal stabilisers in place3. Share the same business cycle
What is the Convergence Criteria to join the Eurozone?
- Inflation rate can’t be more than 1.5% higher than the union’s 3 best performing members2. Long-term interest rates can’t be higher than 2% above the union’s 3 best performing members3. Should not be in excessive fiscal debt4. Must have a stable currency against the Euro
Economic Union (full economic integration)
Fully integrated economies, complete coordination of fiscal, monetary and social policies.
When does trade creation occur?
When low cost, efficient producers with comparative advantage within a trading bloc replace high cost domestic producers.
How would you represent trade creation on a diagram?
Shows the removal of a tariff from a foreign producer following the creation of a trading bloc where the perfectly elastic supply curve moves down, showing an increase in output from a more efficient producer. Government revenue is lost, previously lost world efficiency and consumer surplus are gained.
When does trade diversion occur?
When high cost, inefficient producers within a trading bloc replace more efficient foreign producers with comparative advantage following the imposition of a Common External Tariff.
How would you represent trade diversion on a diagram?
Shows the perfectly elastic supply curve of the producer with comparative advantage shifting upwards above the trading bloc after a common external tariff is imposed. Lost world efficiency, lost bloc efficiency, lost consumer surplus.
What are the terms of trade?
The quantity of exports that need to be sold in order to purchase a given level of imports.
How is the terms of trade index calculated?
[Average export price index / Average import price index] *100
What factors can change the terms of trade?
SR: Exchange rates, inflation rates, supply and demand of exports and importsLR: Changes in incomes, Long run productivity
How does a change in terms of trade affect the domestic economy?
- Improvement in terms of trade lead to a fall in (X-M) which can cause a fall in GDP and rise in unemployment2. If PED of X and M is inelastic, improving TOT = improving CA3. If PED of X and M is elastic, improving TOT = worsening CA4. If export demand has caused improvement TOT then this is beneficial5. Important to consider export revenues