Ch.18 - Economic Systems

Academic CivicsMr. Blough

What is Economics?Economics studies how individuals and societies seek to satisfy needs and wants through incentives, choices, and distribution of scarce resources.

Oil & fuel

Land

Doctors

Technology

An even better definition: Economics – The study of how

limited resources are used to satisfy unlimited material wants and needs; the study of decision-making in a world of scarcity.

Scarcity – the result of not having enough resources to satisfy all individuals

Source: Krugman, Wells, Olney, 2009.

Source: Krugman, Wells, Olney,

2009.

The problem of economics…

The role of money in economics:

It might as well be this:

If it can’t be used to acquire this:

So what is money? Money – a medium of

exchange used to purchase goods and services

Factors that affect the value of a nation’s money: Supply and Demand Net exports vs. imports Exchange Rates Monetary policies by

governmental institutions (e.g. Fed. Reserve)

Factors of ProductionEconomic Resources

Natural Resources – raw materials found in nature that are used to produce goods

Human Resources – people’s knowledge, efforts, and skills used in their work

Capital Resources – used to produce goods and services (buildings, materials, and equipment)

Entrepreneurial Resources - recognize the need for new goods or service

Scarcity – shortage of resources

Why Economic Systems? Nations use economic systems to determine

how to use their limited resources effectively. Primary goal of an economic system is to

provide people with a minimum standard of living, or quality of life.

Different types of Economic SystemsTraditional EconomyMarket Economy (capitalism)Command EconomyMixed Economy

Traditional Economy Found in rural, under-

developed countries– Vanuatu Pygmies of Congo Eskimos & Indian tribes Belarus

Customs govern the economic decisions that are made

Farming, hunting and gathering are done the same way as the generation before

Economic activities are centered around the family or ethnic unit

Men and women are given different economic roles and tasks

Advantages: people have specific roles; security in the way things are done

Disadvantages: Technology is not used; difficult to improve

Market Economy (Free Enterprise)

Also called a Free Market Economy or Free Enterprise Economy

Businesses and consumers decide what they will produce and purchase and in what quantities

Decisions are made according to law of supply & demand

Supply and demand of goods and services determine what is produced and the price that will be charged.

Advantage—competition to have the best products and services

Disadvantage—huge rift between wealthy and poor

Note: a true market economy does not exist.

Command Economy The government (or

central authority) determines what, how, and for whom goods and services are produced.

Two types: Strong Command – where

government makes all decisions (communism – North Korea, Cuba, China, etc.)

Moderate Command – where some form of private enterprise exists but the state owns major resources (socialism – France and Sweden)

Advantages Guarantees equal

standard of living for everyone

Less crime and poverty Needs are provided for

through the government Disadvantages

Minimal choices Fewer choices of items No incentive to produce

better product or engage in entrepreneurship

Also known as a Planned or Managed Economy

Mixed EconomyCombination of a market and a command economy

Government takes of people’s needs

Marketplace takes care of people’s wants.

Most nations have a mixed economy: United States, England, Australia

Advantage—balance of needs and wants met by government and in marketplace

Disadvantage—citizens have to pay taxes; disagreements over the government’s role