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Microeconomics
microeconomics chapter 1: fundemental Concepts
35
Economics
Undergraduate 1
07/31/2011

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Term
Scarcity
Definition
the condition in which are wants are greater then the limited resources available to satisfy those wants.
Term
What is economics?
Definition
1. the study of choice in the presence of scarcity.
2. study of exchange
3. All considerations bearing on the provision and distribution of goods and services
4. "What economist do"
Term
Economics
Definition
the science of how individuals and societies make choices in the presence of scarcity.
Term
Malthusian
Definition
over-extending the capabilities provided
Term
Orthodox Economic Science
Definition
Economic theories and practices accepted by most professional economists
Term
Heterodox Economic Science
Definition
Economic theories and practices accepted by a relatively small minority of professional economist
Term
Microeconomics
Definition
The branch of economics that deals with human behavior and choices as they relate to relatively small units of economic endeavor - those involving an individual, a firm, an industry, a single market
Term
Macroeconomics
Definition
The branch of economics that deals with human behavior and choices as they relate to highly aggregate markets (such as the goods and services market) or the entire economy).
Term
Economic Method
Definition
Theory > Economic Model > Testing of Theory/Model
Term
Inductive Theories
Definition
Inductive theories involve the act or process of inferring from the particular to the general.
Term
Deductive Theories
Definition
Deductive theories involve the process of deriving conclusions from logical premises.
Term
economic model
Definition
Abstraction of Reality
Emphasis is on simplification and explanation rather than realism
Term
Ceteris Paribus
Definition
other things being equal.
Term
Fallacy of Composition
Definition
what is good for the individual is good or true for the group or society.
Term
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Definition
Because A comes before B, A causes B
Most closely associated with deductive theories
Term
Association-Causation Fallacy
Definition
The erroneous view that because two events are correlated, one event causes the other. Examples:
a) sun spot activity & stock prices
b) hem lines & stock prices
Term
Positive Statement
Definition
A statement that can be validated or tested

i.e. The unemployment rate is 5%.
Positive statements concern “what is” or what can be validated with some reasonable assurance of accuracy.”
Term
Normative Statement
Definition
A statement that cannot be validated or tested.

i.e. The unemployment should be less than 4%.
Normative statements concern “what ought to be or ideas and opinions that cannot be validated”
Term
Opportunity Cost
Definition
The most highly valued opportunity or alternative forfeited when a choice is made.
Term
No free lunch
Definition
Since production and consumption always require the use of one or more scarce resources, there is always an opportunity cost associated with producing or consuming a good.
Term
Economic System
Definition
The way in which society decides what goods to produce, how to produce them, and for whom the goods will be produced.
Term
Land
Definition
All natural resources, such as minerals, forests, water and unimproved land.

Land is paid rent.
Term
Labor
Definition
The physical and mental talent people contribute to the production process.

Labor is paid a wage.
Term
Capital
Definition
Produced goods that can be used as inputs for further production, such as factories, machinery, tools, computers, and buildings.

Capital is paid interest.
Term
Entrepreneurship
Definition
The particular talent that some people have for organizing the resources of land, labor, and capital to produce goods and services, seek new business opportunities, and develop new ways of doing things.

Entrepreneurs are paid a profit.
Term
laissez-Faire
Definition
"let if fall where it may" free market system.
Term
Mixed
Definition
comprised of government and private sector.
Term
Statism
Definition
economy is systematically portioned out based on favoritism.
Term
Socialism
Definition
the means of production are controlled by the government.
Term
command economics
Definition
economy is completely regulated buy the government.
Term
Efficiency
Definition
An efficient state of affairs exists when an objective is realized using the least resources possible.
Term
Economic Growth
Definition
An increase in the total output of an economy.
Term
Equity
Definition
Equality of income and wealth.
Term
Stability
Definition
A condition in which one or more economic inputs and/or outputs i.e. wages, unemployment, prices, investment, etc. exhibit minimal variability.
Term
Technology
Definition
The body of skills and knowledge available to produce and /or distribute a good or service. An advance in technology commonly refers to the ability to produce more output with a fixed amount of resources or the ability to produce the same output with fewer resources.
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