Economics Market Economy Study Cards

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Market Economy

An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods and services are determined by the interactions of supply and demand in the marketplace.

Supply and Demand

The fundamental forces that drive a market economy. Supply refers to the quantity of a good or service that producers are willing to sell, while demand refers to the quantity that consumers are willing to buy.

Competition

The rivalry among producers and sellers in a market, which leads to better products, lower prices, and innovation.

Market Equilibrium

The point at which the quantity demanded by consumers equals the quantity supplied by producers, resulting in a stable price and quantity in the market.

Price Mechanism

The process by which prices adjust to balance supply and demand in a market economy. Prices act as signals to producers and consumers, guiding their decisions.

Role of Government in Market Economy

The government plays a role in ensuring fair competition, protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, and providing public goods and services.

Market Failures

Instances where the market fails to allocate resources efficiently, such as externalities, public goods, and market power.

International Trade

The exchange of goods and services between countries, allowing for specialization, increased variety, and economic growth.

Economic Growth and Development

The increase in the production and consumption of goods and services over time, leading to improved living standards and well-being.

Income Distribution

The way in which income is divided among individuals or households in a society, influenced by factors such as education, skills, and government policies.

Market Demand

The total quantity of a good or service that all consumers in a market are willing and able to buy at a given price.

Market Supply

The total quantity of a good or service that all producers in a market are willing and able to sell at a given price.

Law of Demand

The inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded, assuming other factors remain constant.

Law of Supply

The direct relationship between the price of a good and the quantity supplied, assuming other factors remain constant.

Elasticity of Demand

A measure of how responsive the quantity demanded of a good is to changes in its price.

Elasticity of Supply

A measure of how responsive the quantity supplied of a good is to changes in its price.

Market Surplus

A situation where the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded at a given price, resulting in downward pressure on prices.

Market Shortage

A situation where the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied at a given price, resulting in upward pressure on prices.

Perfect Competition

A market structure characterized by a large number of buyers and sellers, homogeneous products, perfect information, and free entry and exit.

Monopoly

A market structure characterized by a single seller with significant market power, leading to limited competition and the ability to set prices.

Oligopoly

A market structure characterized by a few large firms dominating the market, leading to limited competition and the potential for collusion.

Monopolistic Competition

A market structure characterized by many sellers offering differentiated products, allowing for some degree of market power.

Price Ceiling

A government-imposed maximum price that can be charged for a good or service, often aimed at protecting consumers.

Price Floor

A government-imposed minimum price that must be paid for a good or service, often aimed at protecting producers.

Externality

A cost or benefit that affects a party who did not choose to incur that cost or benefit, resulting in market inefficiencies.

Public Goods

Goods or services that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning they are available to all and consumption by one does not reduce availability to others.

Market Power

The ability of a firm or group of firms to influence the price or quantity in a market, often due to barriers to entry or control over key resources.

Comparative Advantage

The ability of a country, individual, or firm to produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than others, leading to specialization and trade.

Protectionism

The use of trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas, to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders in a given period of time, often used as a measure of economic growth.

Inflation

A sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over time, reducing the purchasing power of money.

Unemployment

The state of being without a job, often measured as a percentage of the labor force.

Poverty

The state of being extremely poor, often measured by income levels below a certain threshold.

Progressive Tax

A tax system in which the tax rate increases as the taxable income increases, resulting in higher tax burdens for higher-income individuals.

Regressive Tax

A tax system in which the tax rate decreases as the taxable income increases, resulting in higher tax burdens for lower-income individuals.

Proportional Tax

A tax system in which the tax rate remains constant regardless of the taxable income, resulting in a consistent tax burden for all individuals.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy, often aimed at stabilizing economic growth and controlling inflation.

Monetary Policy

The use of central bank tools, such as interest rates and money supply, to control inflation, stabilize prices, and promote economic growth.

Trade Deficit

A situation where a country's imports exceed its exports, resulting in a negative balance of trade.

Trade Surplus

A situation where a country's exports exceed its imports, resulting in a positive balance of trade.

Foreign Exchange Market

The market where currencies are bought and sold, allowing for international trade and investment.

Exchange Rate

The price of one currency in terms of another, determining the value of goods and services in international trade.

Economic Development

The process of improving the economic well-being and quality of life for a country's population, often measured by indicators such as GDP per capita and human development index.

Income Inequality

The unequal distribution of income among individuals or households in a society, often measured by indicators such as the Gini coefficient.

Social Mobility

The ability of individuals or households to move up or down the social and economic ladder over time, often influenced by factors such as education, skills, and opportunities.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas, leading to greater economic integration and cultural exchange.

Free Trade

The policy of allowing goods and services to be traded without restrictions or barriers, promoting economic efficiency and specialization.

Economic Integration

The process of eliminating trade barriers and harmonizing economic policies among countries, leading to increased trade and economic cooperation.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

The investment of foreign assets into domestic structures, equipment, and organizations, promoting economic growth and development.

Multinational Corporation (MNC)

A company that operates in multiple countries, often with production facilities, sales, and distribution networks in different regions of the world.

Balance of Payments

A record of all economic transactions between the residents of a country and the rest of the world, including trade in goods and services, financial flows, and transfers.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

Assets held by a central bank in foreign currencies, used to stabilize the domestic currency, intervene in the foreign exchange market, and ensure liquidity in international transactions.

Economic Recession

A significant decline in economic activity, often characterized by a contraction in GDP, high unemployment, and reduced consumer spending.

Economic Depression

A severe and prolonged economic downturn, characterized by a deep contraction in economic activity, high unemployment, and widespread business failures.