Macroeconomics - Arnold - Chapter 1
Macroeconomics - Arnold - Chapter 1
Macroeconomics - Arnold - Chapter 1
In This Lecture…..
1
In This Lecture…..
Microeconomics &
Macroeconomics
Positive &
Normative
Economics
2
Building A Definition of Economics
~ Resources ~
Labor - The
physical and mental
talents people
contribute to the
production process
3
Scarcity
The condition in
which our wants
are greater than the
limited resources
available to satisfy
those wants
Opportunity Costs
Study or ???
Cost
Benefit
4
Economics, the Science of Scarcity
Rationing Device
A means for
deciding who gets
what of available
resources and
goods
5
Marginal Benefits
Marginal Costs
6
Efficiency
Marginal Benefits = Marginal Costs
Unintended Effects
A positive or negative outcome that was
not anticipated
Exchange/Trade
7
Self Test Questions
1. Give an example to illustrate how a change in
opportunity cost can affect behavior.
2. There are both costs and benefits of studying. If
you continue to study (say, for a test) as long as
the marginal benefits of studying are greater
than the marginal costs and stop studying when
the two are equal, will your action be consistent
with having maximized the net benefits of
studying? Explain your answer.
3. You stay up an added hour to study for a test.
The intended effect is to raise your test grade.
What might be an unintended effect of staying
up an added hour to study for the test?
Microeconomics
Microeconomics deals with human
behavior and choices as they relate to
relatively small units—an individual,
a business firm, an industry, a single
market.
8
Microeconomic Questions
~
Microeconomic Questions
(continued)
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics deals with human
behavior and choices as they relate to
highly aggregate markets (e.g., the
goods and services market) or the
entire economy.
9
Macroeconomic Questions
Macroeconomic Questions
(continued)
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