Definition of Market Failure – This occurs when there is an inefficient allocation of resources in a free market. Market failure can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as monopoly (higher prices and less output), negative externalities (over-consumed and costs to third party) and public goods (usually not provided in a free market) …
Labour market flexibility means that it is easy for workers to change jobs and choose different types of work. It also implies that firms find it relatively easy to hire and fire workers can use temporary contracts, rather than get locked into rigid labour contracts. Labour market flexibility is seen as a way to reduce …
In both the UK and US, politicians are proposing significant, above-inflation increases in the minimum wage. The US is proposing an increase from $7.50 to $15 by 2024. The arguments for raising the minimum wages include – reduced in-work poverty, a reduction in inequality, an incentive to increase labour productivity and higher wages leading to …
The Labour Party has announced a policy to nationalise full-fibre optic broadband provision and offer free broadband to every UK home. It is an ambitious policy which would involve costs of £20-£40bn to purchase Openreach from BT (Labour suggest £20bn, BT, £40. Do the benefits of nationalisation outweigh the costs? Arguments for nationalisation External benefits …
Readers Question: What is the role and function of price in the economy? The price of goods plays a crucial role in determining an efficient distribution of resources in a market system. Price acts as a signal for shortages and surpluses which help firms and consumers respond to changing market conditions. If a good is …
The catch-up effect (or convergence theory) suggests that poorer countries will experience a higher rate of economic growth and, over time, get closer to the income levels of the developed world. In other words, there will be a reduction in the gap between the rich and the poor because low-income countries have more opportunities to …
A key economic debate is the extent to which should governments intervene in the economy? At one extreme, free-market economists/libertarians, argue that government intervention should be limited to all but the most basic services, such as the protection of private property and the maintenance of law and order. At the other extreme, Marxist economists argue …
Definition of Positive Externality: This occurs when the consumption or production of a good causes a benefit to a third party. For example: When you consume education you get a private benefit. But there are also benefits to the rest of society. E.g you are able to educate other people and therefore they benefit as …