Bank Runs

run-on-the-banks

Bank run definition A bank run occurs when there is a sudden demand to withdraw money from a bank, that the commercial bank struggles to meet. The first signs of ‘bank panic’ will encourage other depositors to also try and withdraw their savings, causing a further ‘run on the bank.’ In a bank run, investors …

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Macroeconomic objectives and conflicts

macroeconomic-objectives

A look at the main macroeconomic objectives (economic growth, inflation and unemployment, government borrowing) and possible conflicts between these different macro-economic objectives. The main macro-economic objectives Economic growth – positive and sustainable growth (The UK, long-run trend rate is around 2.5%) Low inflation (UK target 2% +/-1) – Low unemployment / Full employment (e.g. around …

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Effect of the exchange rate on business

Readers Question: What are the effects of the exchange rate on UK businesses? The exchange rate will play an important role for firms who export goods and import raw materials. Essentially: A depreciation (devaluation) will make exports cheaper and exporting firms will benefit. However, firms importing raw materials will face higher costs of imports. An …

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Keynesian vs Classical models and policies

keynesian-monetarist

Readers Question: Could you give a summary of Keynesian and Classical views? Summary Classical economics emphasises the fact that free markets lead to an efficient outcome and are self-regulating. In macroeconomics, classical economics assumes the long run aggregate supply curve is inelastic; therefore any deviation from full employment will only be temporary. The Classical model …

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Subsidies for positive externalities

subsidy-with-positive-externality

Subsidies involve the government paying part of the cost to the firm; this reduces the price of the good and should encourage more consumption. A subsidy shifts the supply curve to the right and can be justified for goods which offer benefits to the rest of society. What is the justification for subsidising goods with …

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Purpose of Banks

purpose-of-banks

A bank is a financial institution which is involved in borrowing and lending money. Banks take customer deposits in return for paying customers an annual interest payment. The bank then uses the majority of these deposits to lend to other customers for a variety of loans. The difference between the two interest rates is effectively …

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Scarcity in economics

fall-s-rise-d-scarcity

Definition: Scarcity refers to resources being finite and limited. Scarcity means we have to decide how and what to produce from these limited resources. It means there is a constant opportunity cost involved in making economic decisions. Scarcity is one of the fundamental issues in economics. Examples of scarcity Land – a shortage of fertile …

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Giffen Good Definition

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Definition of a Giffen Good. A good where a higher price causes an increase in demand (reversing the usual law of demand). The increase in demand is due to the income effect of the higher price outweighing the substitution effect. The concept of a Giffen good is limited to very poor communities with a very limited …

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