Monetary policy involves influencing and controlling the money supply/interest rates to target inflation and economic growth. Monetary policy primarily involves changing interest rates, though it can include other tools such as quantitative easing and open market operations. In recent decades there has been a trend to making Central Banks independent and responsible for setting interest …
Definition: Mercantilism is an economic theory where the government seeks to regulate the economy and trade in order to promote domestic industry – often at the expense of other countries. Mercantilism is associated with policies which restrict imports, increase stocks of gold and protect domestic industries. Mercantilism stands in contrast to the theory of free …
Definition – Opportunity cost is the next best alternative foregone. If we spend that £20 on a textbook, the opportunity cost is the restaurant meal we cannot afford to pay. If you decide to spend two hours studying on a Friday night. The opportunity cost is that you cannot have those two hours for leisure. …
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is committed to improving free trade amongst its member countries. However, its role has been controversial – creating polarised views. These are some of the criticisms of the WTO Free Trade benefits developed countries more than developing countries. It is argued, developing countries need some trade protection to be able …
Gary Becker (1930 – 2014) was an American economist who helped to spread economics into fields of social science, such as sociology, demography and criminology. Becker undertook economic analysis in areas such as racial discrimination, the incentives of crime, drug addiction and family relationships. Becker also helped to popularise and develop the concept of human …
The tax burden refers to the share of GDP that is collected in different forms of tax within an economy. For example, in an economy with a size of £1,000bn – if the government collects tax of £300bn, then the tax burden will be 30%. The tax burden gives a strong guide to the extent …
Does economic growth conflict with the objective of the balance of payments stability? UK economic growth and current account balance Both economic growth and balance of payments are macroeconomic objectives. Economic growth is an increase in real GDP – leading to higher living standards. Balance of payments stability refers to a sustainable or limited current …
Taxation on goods, income or wealth influence economic behaviour and the distribution of resources. For example, higher taxes on carbon emissions will increase cost for producers, reduce demand and shift demand towards alternatives. Higher income tax can enable a redistribution of income within society, but may have an impact on reducing the incentives to work …