1. What is Economics?

2. Economics Study of how people seek to satisfy their needs and wants by making choices.

3. Dissecting the Definition Needs: something like air, food, shelter that is necessary for survival Wants: an item that we desire but that is not essential to survival

4. Additional Info/Vocabulary Terms Allocate  to divide among or distribute in shares

5. Additional Info/Vocabulary Terms Resources  the means to accomplish something

6. Activity In your groups, answer as many questions correctly as you can. Each correct answer gets bonus points for your team! Now, decide how you would allocate your bonus points between your group members  How many different ways could you allocate your resources?  Which method did you choose and is it fair?  Is every member of your group satisfied?

7. Econ’s No.1 Problem… Scarcity:  When there is not as much of a good or service as everyone wants. Do you have as much money as you could possibly want? When the new iPad/iPhone hits the market, is it immediately available for everyone?

8. Microeconomics  Study of economic behavior & decision making of small units, such as individuals, families, & businesses  Individual decision making is micro (small)

9. Macroeconomics  Study of economic behavior & decision making of entire economies  Examines major trends for the economy as a whole  Societal decision making is macro (large)

10. Three Basic Questions??? In economics there are 3 basic questions that every country must answer…  What to produce?  How to produce?  For whom should we produce?

11. Economic Systems A set of rules by which a nation answers the basic questions of what, how, and for whom.

12. Types of Economic Systems Traditional Command Market Mixed

13. Traditional Decisions are based mostly on customs Difficult to change Mostly in underdeveloped countries/3 rd world countries Example: Chad

14. Command Government ownership & control of production Government makes ALL decisions 2 main types Socialism & Communism Example: North Korea

15. Market Means of production are owned & controlled by private individuals or groups Government plays a small role Market determines how resources are used Cannot be found today