Microeconomics Vocab Flashcards
Actual Growth
Occurs when real output (real GDP) increases
through time and is a result of greater or better
use of existing resources. In the PPC model it
can be illustrated by a movement from a point
inside a PPC to another point in the northeast
direction.
Allocative inefficiency
When either more or less than the socially optimal amount is produced and consumed so that misallocation of resources results. MSB MSC.
Allocative inefficiency
Allocative inefficiency When either more or less than the socially optimal amount is produced and consumed so that misallocation of resources results. MSB MSC.
Anti-monopoly regulation
Laws and regulations that are intended to
restrict anti-competitive behaviour of firms that
are abusing their market power.
Carbon emission taxes
Taxes levied on the carbon content of fuel. They are a type of Pigouvian tax.
Common pool resources
A diverse group of natural resources that are non-excludable, but their use is rivalrous, for example, fisheries.
Common pool resources
A diverse group of natural resources that are non-excludable, but their use is rivalrous, for example, fisheries.
Competitive market equilibrium
Occurs if in a free competitive market, quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied.
Complements
Goods that are jointly consumed, for example, coffee and sugar.
Consumer surplus
The difference between how much a consumer is at most willing to pay for a good and how much they actually pay.
Demand
The relationship between possible prices of a good or service and the quantities that individuals are willing and able to buy over some time period, ceteris paribus.
Demerit goods
Goods or services that not only harm the individuals who consume these but also society at large, and that tend to be overconsumed. Usually they are due to negative consumption externalities.
Efficiency
In general, involves making the best use of scarce resources. May refer to producing at the lowest possible cost or to allocative efficiency where marginal social costs are equal to marginal social benefits or where social surplus is maximum.
Elastic demand
Where a change in the price of a good or service leads to a proportionately larger change in the quantity demanded of the good or service in the opposite direction. (PED is greater than one.)
Elastic supply
Where a change in the price of a good or service leads to a proportionately larger change in the quantity supplied of the good or service in the same direction. (PES is greater than one.)
Elasticity
A measure of the responsiveness of an economic variable (such as the quantity demanded of a product) to a change in another economic variable (such as its price or income).
Excess demand
Occurs when quantity demanded at some price is greater than quantity supplied.
Excess supply
Occurs when quantity supplied at some price is greater than quantity demanded.
Excludable
A characteristic that most goods have that refers to the ability of producers to charge a price and thus exclude whoever is not willing or able to pay for it from enjoying it.
Externalities
External costs or benefits to third parties when a good or service is produced or consumed. An externality arises when an economic activity imposes costs or creates benefits on third parties for which they are not compensated or do not pay for respectively.
Free market economy
An economy where the means of production are privately owned and where market forces determine the answers to the fundamental questions (what/how much, how and for whom) that all economies face.
Free rider problem
Arises when individuals consume a good or service without paying for it because they cannot be excluded from enjoying it.
Income elasticity of demand
The responsiveness of demand for a good or service to a change in income.
Inelastic demand
Where a change in the price of a good or service leads to a proportionately smaller change in the quantity demanded of the good or service in the opposite direction. (PED is less than one.)
Inelastic supply
Where a change in the price of a good or service leads to a proportionately smaller change in the quantity supplied of the good or service in the same direction. (PES is less than one.)
Inferior goods
The responsiveness of demand for a good or service to a change in income.
Joint supply
Goods jointly produced, for example beef and cattle hides; producing one automatically leads to the production of the other.
Law of demand
A law stating that as the price of a good falls, the quantity demanded will increase over a certain period of time, ceteris paribus.
Law of supply
A law stating that as the price of a good rises, the quantity supplied will rise over a certain period of time, ceteris paribus.
Luxury goods
Goods that are not considered essential by consumers therefore they have a price elastic demand (PED > 1), or income elastic demand (YED > 1).
Marginal private benefit
The extra or additional cost to the individual of consuming an additional unit of output.