Advantages of hosting a major event

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A look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of hosting a major sporting event. Hosting a major sporting event can give many economic, social and cultural benefits. However, the costs of hosting the event can also be quite high. What determines whether the benefits outweigh the costs? Advantages of hosting a major event 1. …

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What do firms do with profit?

Profit is the net difference between revenue and costs. The main way that firms use profit is to: Pay dividends to shareholders. Invest in increasing capacity or expanding into new markets. Invest in research and development. Pay for new advertising and marketing strategies. Save profit as part of cash reserves, to use as savings. Tax. …

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Pricing strategies during a recession

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How does a recession/economic downturn influence how firms will set the price of goods and services? A recession is a period of negative economic growth – falling real incomes and rising unemployment. In a recession, consumers are likely to have lower income and be more sensitive to prices. There is also the threat of unemployment …

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US economic criticisms of China

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A significant issue in the US political economy is the perceived transgressions of Chinese economic policy. These tend to revolve around: Undervalued Yuan – making Chinese imports cheaper Current account (trade) deficit. China exports more goods and services than imports – switching demand from US firms to Chinese firms. Copyright infringements and lack of intellectual …

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Pros and cons of capitalism

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Capitalism is an economic system characterised by:

  • Lack of government intervention
  • Means of production owned by private firms.
  • Goods and services distributed according to price mechanism (as opposed to government price controls)

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Capitalism - pros and cons

Pros of capitalism

“A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.”
― Milton Friedman

  • Economic freedom helps political freedom. If governments own the means of production and set prices, it invariably leads to a powerful state and creates a large bureaucracy which may extend into other areas of life.
  • Efficiency. Firms in a capitalist based society face incentives to be efficient and produce goods which are in demand. These incentives create the pressures to cut costs and avoid waste. State-owned firms often tend to be more inefficient (e.g. less willing to get rid of surplus workers and fewer incentives to try new innovative working practices.)
  • Innovation. Capitalism has a dynamic where entrepreneurs and firms are seeking to create and develop profitable products. Therefore, they will not be stagnant but invest in new products which may be popular with consumers. This can lead to product development and more choice of goods.
  • Economic growth. With firms and individuals facing incentives to be innovative and work hard, this creates a climate of innovation and economic expansion. This helps to increase real GDP and lead to improved living standards. This increased wealth enables a higher standard of living; in theory, everyone can benefit from this increased wealth, and there is a ‘trickle-down effect‘ from rich to poor.
  • There are no better alternatives. As Winston Churchill, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.” A similar statement could apply to capitalism.

Cons of capitalism

“Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone.”
– John Maynard Keynes (1)
  • Monopoly power. Private ownership of capital enables firms to gain monopoly power in product and labour markets. Firms with monopoly power can exploit their position to charge higher prices. See: Monopoly
  • Monopsony power. Firms with monopsony power can pay lower wages to workers. In capitalist societies, there is often great inequality between the owners of capital and those who work for firms. See: Monopsony exploitation

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Reasons for falling price of electronic goods

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With any new technology – especially electronic goods (TVs, computers, cameras), we tend to see a sharp fall in price over time. Initially, the new technology is very expensive, and a high percentage of disposable income, but over time, prices tend to fall considerably. There are a number of reasons to explain this fall in …

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Devaluation and Depreciation Definition

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Definition of devaluation and depreciation

  • A devaluation occurs when a country makes a conscious decision to lower its exchange rate in a fixed or semi-fixed exchange rate.
  • A depreciation is when there is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate.

In general, everyday use, devaluation and depreciation are often used interchangeably. They both have the same effect – a fall in the value of the currency which makes imports more expensive, and exports more competitive.

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In 2008, the Pound Sterling fell in value by 30%. The correct term is a depreciation because the Pound Sterling was a floating currency. (no fixed exchange rate.)

  • For A-Level economics, it is not absolutely essential to distinguish between the two, but there is a distinct technical difference and using them correctly is good practice.
  • Essentially devaluation is changing the value of a currency in a fixed exchange rate. A depreciation is reducing the value in a floating exchange rate.

Definition of Devaluation

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Sterling exchange rate index, which shows the value of Sterling against a basket of currencies. In 1992, The Pound devalued after exiting the Exchange Rate Mechanism.

A devaluation is when a country makes a conscious decision to lower its exchange rate in a fixed or semi-fixed exchange rate. Therefore, technically a devaluation is only possible if a country is a member of some fixed exchange rate policy.

  • For example in the late 1980s, the UK joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism ERM. Initially, the value of the Pound was set between say 3DM and 3.2DM.
  • However, if the government thought that was too high, they could make the decision to devalue and change the target exchange rate to 2.7DM and 2.9DM. In 1992, they left ERM as they couldn’t maintain the value of Pound.

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