Law of Demand – Definition, Explanation
A definition of the law of demand and explanation of why higher price leads to lower demand.
Search Results for: law of demand
The Law of Demand for Housing
Yesterday, I wrote this piece on the demand for housing Usual demand curve Basically we noted the phenomena that rising house prices often cause an increase in demand and falling house prices cause lower demand. This seems to contradict the basic law of demand. But, I suggested this was due to shifts in the demand …
Explaining Supply and Demand
Supply and demand are a fundamental basis of economics; they help explain the determination of price and output in different markets. The supply curve shows the amount of goods firms are willing to sell at different prices. At higher prices, it becomes more profitable to sell the goods, so supply tends to rise with the …
Law of Unintended Consequences
The law of unintended consequences refers to how economic decisions may have effects that are unexpected. Usually, this refers to an economic law which distorts consumer or producer behaviour in a way that is not expected. For example, a law may be implemented with the best intentions to help a group, but, if there are …
Demand for labour
Demand for labour is a derived demand. This means it depends on demand for the product the worker is producing. If there is an increase in demand for visiting coffee shops, it will lead to an increase in demand for baristas (people who make coffee) The demand for labour will also depend on labour productivity, …
Say’s Law
Say’s law states that the production of goods creates its own demand. In 1803, John Baptiste Say explained his theory. “It is worthwhile to remark that a product is no sooner created than it, from that instant, affords a market for other products to the full extent of its own value.” (J. B. Say, 1803: …
Maximum Wage Law
Readers Question: I would like to know why in the USA we have minimum wage law but not a maximum wage law? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a maximum wage law? A maximum wage means that for specified industries, jobs, wages cannot exceed a certain level. They may be used to regulate labour …
Is demand for a good determined by its usefulness to a consumer?
Readers Question: Is the economic demand for a particular product determined solely by its usefulness? Traditional economic theory suggests we buy goods depending on whether we feel it gives a utility sufficiently high to justify the price. As the price rises, we tend to buy less. Last week, I wrote about my experience of buying …