Nudge theory suggests consumer behaviour can be influenced by small suggestions and positive reinforcements. Proponents of nudge theory suggest that well-placed ‘nudges’ can reduce market failure, save the government money, encourage desirable actions and help increase the efficiency of resource use. Critics argue nudges can be misused and become a form of social engineering or …
To overcome market failure, the government may place laws and regulations which prohibit certain behaviour and actions. Regulations can limit or prevent: Demerit goods (alcohol, drugs, smoking) Goods with negative externalities (burning of coal) Abuse of monopoly power. Exploitation of labour. Examples of laws and regulation Legal age for smoking (18) Prohibition on certain classes …
Deregulation involves removing government legislation and laws in a particular market. Deregulation often refers to removing barriers to competition. For example, in the UK, many industries used to be a state monopoly – BT, British Gas, British Rail, local bus services, Royal Mail. However, deregulation allowed new firms to enter these markets and reduce the …
Supply side policies are government policies which seek to increase the productivity and efficiency of the economy. They can involve interventionist supply side policies (e.g. government spending on education) or free market supply-side policies (e.g. reduce government legislation) The main macroeconomic objectives of the government include: Higher economic growth Low inflation Low unemployment Equilibrium on …
Discrimination in the labour market occurs when employers make decisions on wages and employment based on prejudices, such as race, gender, religion. It can lead to variations in wages for the same job and different employment rates. Kenneth Arrow defined discrimination as: “the valuation in the market-place of personal characteristics of the worker that are …
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 …
Definition of trade creation Trade creation refers to the increase in economic welfare from joining a free trade area, such as a customs union. Trade creation will occur when there is a reduction in tariff barriers, leading to lower prices. This switch to lower cost producers will lead to an increase in consumer surplus and …
Readers Question: Would a cap on house prices work? Despite the recession and credit crunch, UK house prices continue to rise. (See: Why are UK house prices so high?) This has caused record levels of house price to income multiples. For homebuyers in London, house prices are approaching a record seven times average earnings. Understandably …