Chapter 2 Economics Test Questions – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
            Economic System
answer
        An organized way for a country to provide for the wants and needs of their people
question
            Traditional Economy
answer
        Allocation of scarce resources and nearly all the other economic activity comes from habits, rituals, or customs  -roles defined by generations before you
question
            Traditional advantages
answer
        -know your role
question
            Traditional disadvantages
answer
        -discourages new ideas  -lack of progress  -lower standard of living
question
            Command economic system
answer
        System where there is a central authority that makes most of the decisions for the people regarding the three basic questions  -people have very little say  -all decisions made by a board
question
            Command Advantages
answer
        -change quickly (move/change resources) -health care/public services are taken care of at little to no cost
question
            Command Disadvantages
answer
        -wants of consumers aren't always met(needs are taken care of) -little intensive to work hard (same job =same pay) -large decision making process (a lot to the process (red tape)) -not flexible with small day to day problems  -no intensive to be innovative
question
            Market economy
answer
        System where people and businesses act in their own self interest to answer the three basic economic questions  -people's money are votes
question
            Market advantages
answer
        -can gradually adjust to change  -high degree of freedom of decisions  -small amount of government interference  -decision making is decentralized (people make there own decisions every day)  -provides a variety of goods and services  -high degree of consumer satisfaction
question
            Market disadvantages
answer
        -doesn't provide everyone's needs  -doesn't provide enough public services  -high degree of uncertainty for individuals and businesses
question
            The market system can fail if the following aren't met:
answer
        1)market must be competitive  2)resources must be free to move (go job to job)  3)consumers need enough information to make good decision
question
            Mixed economy
answer
        A combination of 2 or more economic systems
question
            Capitalism
answer
        -Form of a market economy  -system where private citizens, many whom are entrepreneurs, own factors of production  -also called the free enterprise system
question
            Capitalism characteristics
answer
        -economic freedom  -voluntary exchange  -private property  -profit motive  -competition
question
            Economic freedom
answer
        Spend/buy/ and stuff how you want
question
            Voluntary exchange
answer
        Trade/swap stuff in your own free will
question
            Private property
answer
        The right to own your own stuff
question
            Profit motive
answer
        Desire to make your own money
question
            Competition
answer
        Rivalries/battle for sales/profit
question
            Economic and social goals
answer
        -goals are important because they provide a benchmark to see if a system meets its society's needs  -all systems have social and economic goals but they will differ from system to system
question
            7 economic goals
answer
        1)economic freedom  2)economic efficiency  3)economic equality  4)economic security  5)full employment  6)price stability  7)economic growth
question
            Economic freedom
answer
        People can make their own decisions
question
            Economic efficiency
answer
        Resources are used and not wasted
question
            Economic equality
answer
        Things are fair and imperial
question
            Economic security
answer
        Protection from negative events (social security)
question
            Full employment
answer
        Providing as many jobs as possible
question
            Price stability
answer
        Trying to keep costs relatively stable
question
            Economic growth
answer
        Increase in productivity to improve standard of living
question
            Role of entrepreneurs
answer
        -organize and manage the factors of production in search of making money  **most important people in economy** -start new businesses up-act as their own boss  -many fail at their ventures but continue to create new things and companies  -they attract other firms (similar) to the industry (competition)
question
            Role of consumer
answer
        Individuals that buy and use goods and services for personal or business matters
question
            Consumer sovereignty
answer
        Ruler of the market  -they hold power  -dollar vote
question
            Role of government
answer
        -protector -provider and consumer  -regulator -promoter of national goals
question
            Protector
answer
        Enforces laws and contracts so everyone is on the same level  "Follow the rules of the game"
question
            Provider and consumer
answer
        Buys stuff and makes sure citizens have certain public services
question
            Regulator
answer
        Preserves and ensures competition in market place
question
            Promoter of national goals
answer
        Which objects and aims will we focus on
