ECONOMIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Private Ownership l Control of productive resources land labor capital that are used to produce goods and services
Supply and Demand l Consumers are the demand l Producers are the supply When demand is high prices go up When production is higher than demand prices go down
Profit Motive l Desire to make money for goods and services consumers want. l Most powerful force that drives our economy
Competition l Have to offer the best product or service for the lowest price. l Requires efficient management of productive resources
Free Economic Choice l Individuals & businesses have the right to make choices about spending earning saving investing producing
Government Involvement l Regulates taxes, spending and monetary policies
Gross Domestic Product l The most frequently used method for measuring economic performance l Current value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year l GDP
Consumer Price Index l A common method for measuring inflation l Measures monthly changes in the price of about 400 goods and services that people buy regularly
LAW OF SCARCITY l All economic systems are based on the fact that resources are limited while needs and wants are unlimited !
Applies to: l Individuals l Businesses l Government
ANTI-TRUST LAWS l Prevents monopolies restraints of trade
MONOPOLY l A single company controls the entire supply of a product or service
PROGRESSIVE TAX l Income Tax is an example l People with the higher incomes pay the higher tax