Micro 5 - Price Equilibrium and the Market Mechanism Flashcards
What are the two types of economy?
- Command economy.
2. Free market economy.
What type are most economies?
> Mixed economies that combine features of the two.
>In reality there are no pure free markets or command economies.
How to resolve fundamental economic problem
> Economists are faced with the fundamental economic problem of how to allocate scarce resources.
Economic theory distinguishes between two distinct ways of resolving this question: either through establishing a centrally planned command economy or allowing a free market economy with very limited government intervention.
Features of a command economy in the UK
>Tax. >Roads. >Police. >Army. >NHS. >Education.
Features of a market economy in the UK
> Privatisation.
Strengths of a command economy
> More equality.
Avoids market failure.
Consumers, labourers and environment need protection.
Strengths of a market economy
> More freedom.
Weaknesses of a command economy
> Drives away investors.
No freedom.
Too many things for the government to be able to control them all properly.
Corruption.
Weaknesses of market economies
> Extreme inequality (extreme poverty).
>Exploitation.
Which is the best way to achieve allocative efficiency?
> The free market and the forces of supply and demand are the most effective methods of achieving allocative efficiency and meeting people’s wants and needs.
This approach is often described as the laissez-faire approach to economic decision making and allocation of resources.
Market equilibrium - definition
> The price and quantity produced present in the market of a good or service where all goods produced are sold and there is neither a surplus nor shortage of the good or service.
Surplus - definition
> When producers produce more of a good or service than can be sold at the current price levels otherwise known as excess supply.
Shortage - definition
> When consumers are willing and able to buy more of a good than is being produced at current price levels, otherwise known as excess demand.
Disequilibrium - definition
> A condition where the market is not operating at equilibrium price and quantity and there is an excess supply or demand.
What does the market always do?
> Stabilise itself.
Surplus = price drops.
Shortage = competition drives up prices until pressure relieves and equilibrium is reached.
What will the market tend towards?
> It is believed that the market will tend towards equilibrium price and quantity.
This means producers and buyers will work towards the ‘clearing price’ for a good or service, where all goods produced or services provided are sold.
This price and quantity will remain the same unless there is an ‘outside disturbance’ that will influence price or quantity consumed.
Shifts in demand, supply and relation with price
> Whenever there is a shift in demand or supply there is going to be a change in price and this change in price acts as a means of helping the market allocate resources.
Price is said to have a number of functions in enabling efficient allocation of resources.
List of functions price has in enabling efficient allocation of resources
- Signalling.
- Incentivisation.
- Rationing.
- Allocation.
Price - signalling
> Price changes to signal to both producers and consumers that they ought to change their behaviour.
A price rise signals to producers that they will be able to make more of a product and continue to make profit (despite potentially higher marginal and average costs).
A price fall signals to the consumer that they should buy more of something in order to maximise their utility, perhaps substituting this goods for another which is no longer able to provide as much utility for their money.
