Definition Third World Debt: Third world debt is the external debt that governments in developing countries owe to foreign banks and foreign governments. Many of the countries with third world debt, gained their independence post-1945. Some countries like Indonesia acquired debts from the colonial rulers (Dutch) but for most countries their debt accumulated during the 60s, …
Definition of Capital Flight – When a large number of people in a country move capital and assets from one country to another. Usually in response to a political and/or economic crisis. For example, on news that the banks of Iceland were bankrupt, many investors took their savings out of Iceland and into other countries. …
Readers Question: Surely when we have near full employment as we have now the Government should be producing a surplus (as in the late 1990s) and reducing the national debt. Not to do so means that we have a structural problem in the UK? Not necessarily. A structural deficit problem implies that even allowing for …
Economics affects our daily lives in both obvious and subtle ways. From an individual perspective, economics frames many choices we have to make about work, leisure, consumption and how much to save. Our lives are also influenced by macro-economic trends, such as inflation, interest rates and economic growth. Summary – why economics is important The …
Traditionally, the key measures of economic performance in macroeconomics include: Economic growth – real GDP growth. Inflation – e.g. target CPI inflation of 2% Unemployment – target of full employment Current account – satisfactory current account, e.g. low deficit. Other measures of economic performance can include: Government borrowing/national debt Real disposable incomes Income inequality (Gini …
The short run, long run and very long run are different time periods in economics. Quick definition Very short run – where all factors of production are fixed. (e.g on one particular day, a firm cannot employ more workers or buy more products to sell) Short run – where one factor of production (e.g. capital) …
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about how the economy works? Some misconceptions Economists can make reliable forecasts. Presidents control the economy – Policies of government only partially responsible for economic activity. Luddite fallacy. – Misconception that new technology destroys jobs. Broken window fallacy – Misconception paying for damage creates economic activity. The lump …
The business or trade cycle relates to the volatility of economic growth, and the different periods the economy goes through (e.g. boom and bust). There are many different factors that cause the economic cycle – such as interest rates, confidence, the credit cycle and the multiplier effect. Some economists also point to supply side explanations, …