In recent months, we have seen a dramatic drop in oil prices. For many consumers and business, this fall in the price of oil will be welcome reduction in the cost of living and a reduction in the cost of business. However, is such a steep fall in oil prices good for the economy? Benefits of …
Economic growth means an increase in national income, but does economic growth actually help to reduce relative poverty and income inequality – or can economic growth exacerbate existing income inequalities? There are two types of poverty: Relative poverty: This is when income is a certain percentage less than the average income. For example, in the …
Aggregate demand (AD) is the total demand for goods and services produced within the economy over a period of time. Aggregate demand (AD) is composed of various components. AD = C+I+G+ (X-M) C = Consumer expenditure on goods and services. I = Gross capital investment – i.e. investment spending on capital goods e.g. factories and …
Under certain circumstances, the government might want to intervene in the foreign exchange markets to influence the level of the exchange rate. Methods to Influence the Exchange Rate Reserves and Borrowing. If the value of an exchange rate is falling and the government wants to maintain its original value it can use its foreign exchange …
Readers Question: When does velocity of money pick up and why will it? Clearly, the reason US inflation worriers have been wrong so far (NB). Is it confidence or policy? The velocity of circulation / velocity of money refers to how frequently the money stock in an economy is used in a given period. In …
Foreign or external debt represents the amount a country (both public and private sector) owe to other countries. Foreign debt can involve: Outstanding loans to foreign private banks (both principal and outstanding interest) Due payments to international organisations like the IMF Outstanding payments for a current account deficit, with country owing money for imports Debt …
I’m currently reading A History of the World by Andrew Marr (it’s a good read so far). There’s an interesting chapter about the consequence of Spain gaining a large quantity of gold and silver from the Incas during the Sixteenth Century. Almost overnight, Spain became very rich taking home unprecedented quantities of gold and silver. …
Readers Question: what is the difference between saving and investment? Saving Saving involves income that is not consumed. Typically surplus income is saved in a bank account. But, it could be saved as cash (cash under the bed e.t.c) The Savings Ratio is the % of income that is saved. In recent years the UK …