Tertiary – Service sector of the economy

Definition – The service sector is comprised of firms offering ‘intangible goods’ such as entertainment, retail, insurance, tourism and banking. The service sector will make use of manufactured goods, but there is an additional component of offering a service to customers. In a developed economy like the UK, the service sector is the biggest component …

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UK Economy in the 1920s

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The 1920s are sometimes referred to as the ‘roaring twenties’, but for the UK economy, it was a period of depression, deflation and a steady decline in the UK’s former economic pre-eminence. In the US, the economy boomed on the back of mass production techniques, growing efficiency – and increasingly a credit bubble, which would …

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Problems facing UK economy post Brexit

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After the UK’s decision to leave the EU, what economic problems will it face? Summary of problems Devaluation of Pound Sterling, increasing price of imported goods, such as food, oil, manufacturers and domestic inflation. This cost-push inflation is again putting pressure on real wages. WIth low nominal wage growth – inflation has led to falls …

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Why do we Study Economics in School?

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Readers Question: Why do we Study Economics In School? 1. It’s good to study and improve the mind. At least, that is what I was told when I was learning ancient Greek and Latin. Many employers are not looking for a specific degree but, the ability to learn, write and understand relevant ideas. I guess …

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Irrational behaviour

Classical economic theory assumes that individuals are rational. However, in the real world, we often see irrational behaviour – decisions which don’t maximise utility but can cause a loss of economic welfare. Irrational behaviour is not just isolated to a few ‘irrational individuals’ but can become the dominant choice for most people in society (e.g. …

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Money supply and the exchange rate

Readers Question: Does expansionary monetary policy, where money supply is increased, also cause a depreciation in the currency?  – Since there is a surplus of the currency in the foreign exchange market. Expansionary monetary policy means policies to increase demand in the economy. Expansionary monetary policy typically will involve: Lower interest rates – to make …

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Factors that explain wage inequality

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A look at factors that explain wage inequality – including classical economic theory and labour market imperfections. Readers Question: Idealized free market theory argues that it is automatic for each worker to receive just what he or she is worth; otherwise, an “underpaid” worker could just look elsewhere to bid a higher salary.  Could established …

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Governments and Economic Efficiency

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Readers Question: Does government increases or decrease economic efficiency. Kindly explain as I have tried to look for the reasons. This is an open-ended question, which raises many different issues. To some, on the political right, it is a simple matter of governments bad, markets good. Others are apt to see the government as a …

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