Trading blocks are groups of countries who form trade agreements between themselves. Trading blocks can include Free trade areas – elimination of tariffs between economies in the trading block Customs union – free trade area + a common external tariff with non-members Economic union/Single market – Customs union + common rules and regulations. Different types …
Readers Question: what does AD stand for in economic terms? AD = Aggregate Demand – the total planned expenditure in an economy. Aggregate Demand is composed of various factors C, I, G, X – M C= Consumer spending I = Investment (Gross Fixed Capital Formation) G= Government Spending X= Exports M= Imports AD places a …
Financialisation is a term used to describe the increased role of the financial sector in a modern economy. Source: NYT 2013 Financialisation also refers to particular trends in the financial sector of the economy. This includes: Increased use of financial intermediaries Increased use of futures markets. For example future contracts for bonds, shares, currencies and …
Readers Question What does the size of a current account deficit / surplus say about the state of the economy? A current account deficit means that the value of goods and services imported is greater than the value of exports. A current account deficit requires capital / financial flows to finance this deficit. Despite the …
In economics producers – often referred to as firms or companies play a role in using inputs (different factors of production) and producing goods and services (output). Firms play a key role in deciding what to produce and how to produce. Different types of firms Individual entrepreneurs – self-employed individuals Private companies – often small/mid-sized …
A product market refers to a place where goods and services are bought and sold A factor market refers to the employment of factors of production, such as labour, capital and land. Product market Demand for product markets comes primarily from households The main sellers of goods are different kinds of firms. Demand for goods …
Environmental sustainability is concerned with whether environmental resources will be protected and maintained for future generations. Issues of environmental sustainability Environmental sustainability is concerned with issues such as: Long-term health of ecosystems. Protecting the long-term productivity and health of resources to meet future economic and social needs, e.g. protecting food supplies, farmland and fishing stocks. …
Factors of production refer to the different elements that are used in producing goods and services. Factors of production are inputs into the productive process. The four main factors of production are: Land – this is raw materials available from mining, fishing, agriculture Capital – This is a manufactured item used to aid production, for …