Measuring living standards is important for economic policy. However, in practice, there are several difficulties in measuring living standards and therefore there are several different measures we could use. The most common measure of living standards is to start with real GDP per Capita. World Map of GDP per Capita GDP per Capita. Source: Source: …
Demand is price elastic if a change in price causes a bigger percentage change in demand. It will have a PED of greater than one. Example of elastic demand % change in Q.D – 60/110 = – 0.545 % change in price 15/65 = 0.23 In the above example, the PED = -2.36 Characteristics of …
Many economists support free trade. However, in some circumstances, there are arguments in favour of trade restrictions. These include when developing economies need to develop infant industries and develop their economy. Reasons for blocking free trade Infant industry argument If developing countries have industries that are relatively new, then at the moment these industries would …
Oligopoly is a market structure in which a few firms dominate the industry; it is an industry with a five firm concentration ratio of greater than 50%. In Oligopoly, firms are interdependent; this means their decisions (price and output) depend upon how the other firms behave: Barriers to entry are likely to be a feature …
Main types of tax in the UK Income tax – This a tax on people’s income. The basic rate of income tax is 20%, paid on income over the income tax threshold of £10,400. National insurance contributions. Another type of income tax is national insurance contributions, which are based on a similar principle of taking …
To barter means to trade goods directly rather than through the medium of money. Thus a barter economy is one where money does not exist or has ceased to be functional. It means consumers have to gain goods through exchange. Primitive economies developed through bartering goods. But, this is very inconvenient for a developing and …
Definition – A centrally planned economy is an economy where decisions on what to produce, how to produce and for whom are taken by the government in a centrally managed bureaucracy. Central planning is also referred to as a ‘Command economy’ or ‘Communist economy.’ WIth Central planning, the theory is that the government will take …
Port Meadow in Oxford The tragedy of the commons is a situation where there is overconsumption of a particular product/service because rational individual decisions lead to an outcome that is damaging to the overall social welfare. The tragedy of the commons theory assumes that when making decisions, people take the course of action that maximises …