Definition The observation that some goods (e.g. water) which are more essential to human life can be cheaper than non-essential goods (e.g. diamonds) Paradox of value – Economics explainedWatch this video on YouTube Explanation The paradox of value examines why goods that are not essential to life can command a much higher price than goods …
Definition Wage-push inflation is the increase in general price level resulting from higher wages in an economy. Explanation of wage-push inflation If firms increase nominal wages by 5%, they experience higher costs of production. This is likely to cause firms to pass the cost increases onto consumers in the form of higher prices. Firms increase …
Definition of oligopoly An oligopoly is an industry dominated by a few large firms. For example, an industry with a five-firm concentration ratio of greater than 50% is considered an oligopoly. Examples of oligopolies Car industry – economies of scale have caused mergers so big multinationals dominate the market. The biggest car firms include Toyota, …
Readers Question: Does inflation causes unemployment? There are a few different scenarios where inflation can cause unemployment. However, there is not a direct link. Often we will notice a trade-off between inflation and unemployment – e.g. in a period of strong economic growth and falling unemployment; we see a rise in inflation – see Phillips …
Money illusion is the belief that money has a fixed value and the effects of inflation are ignored. Because of money illusion, during inflation, individuals may perceive an increase in nominal income as higher welfare – when this is actually an illusion and their real spending power has not changed because prices have risen at …
Seigniorage is the profit created by issuing currency, where the face value is higher than the intrinsic value. (production costs) Seigniorage income can also relate to the interest a Central Bank charges from lending commercial banks money. Seigniorage explained Early forms of money had a face value equal to the production costs – e.g. gold …
Demand-pull inflation is a period of inflation which arises from rapid growth in aggregate demand. It occurs when economic growth is too fast. If aggregate demand (AD) rises faster than productive capacity (LRAS), then firms will respond by putting up prices, creating inflation. Inflation – a sustained increase in the price level. Demand-pull inflation – …
Readers Question: explain how economists define ‘full employment’? The first definition of full employment would be the situation where everyone willing to work at the going wage rate is able to get a job. This would imply that unemployment is zero because if you are not willing to work then you should not be counted …