Intertemporal equilibrium is a concept which states economic agents make decisions taking into account the present and future time periods. At a particular point in time an economy may not be in equilibrium because individuals do not just decide based on the current situation, but also take into account for what may happen in the …
Explain the role of the main economic groups: consumers, producers and the government. Within an economy, there are three main groups of agents. Producers Consumers Government 1. Consumers Individuals and households who provide labour to firms and purchase goods and services. Consumers pay income tax on wages and pay indirect taxes on purchases, for example, …
Evolutionary economics is a branch of economics which views the economy through a dynamic model of constant change, adaptation, chaos and revival. Evolutionary economics was coined by radical economist Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929). Veblen was interested in psychological factors that often gave better explanations for economic behaviour than traditional rational choice theory. For example, Veblen noted …
The network effect occurs when a good or service becomes more valuable as more people use it. Network effect explained If you own a telephone, but no one else does, the good is of no value. As more people join the telephone network, the more valuable the telephone becomes to yourself. If you buy a …
A look at factors that explain wage inequality – including classical economic theory and labour market imperfections. Readers Question: Idealized free market theory argues that it is automatic for each worker to receive just what he or she is worth; otherwise, an “underpaid” worker could just look elsewhere to bid a higher salary. Could established …
Definition of a Veblen Good. A Veblen good is a good where demand rises as price rises because people feel its higher price reflects greater status. Readers Question: I once ran across a term and now can’t find it. It’s the economic theory that consumers will purchase a product or service which cost more money …
Economics is concerned with the optimal distribution of scarce resources within society. For example, economics is concerned with how individual decisions like how firms produce goods and which goods people buy. An important element in economics is concerned with the extent to which governments can intervene in the economy to improve economic welfare. Economics is …
I’m currently reading a book Blood, Iron and Gold by Christian Wolmar about how railways transformed the world. This interesting extract from the political economist Friedrich List, explains some of the economic benefits of railways: “Railways would carry wood, turf and coal at less than half the present costs. Bavaria, where flour, meat and other …