1. Intro to Economic Concepts Macro vs. Micro Positive vs Normative Analysis Why do economists often disagree?

2. Microeconomics Micro looks at individual operations of businesses and consumers Also deals with how businesses, government and consumers interact –Think: ECONOLAND

3. Macroeconomics Macro looks at how economies as a whole function; a study of economy-wide phenomena. –Think: Inflation, unemployment, interest rates, taxation, trade deficit, national productivity rates, national savings rate, etc.

4. Classify the following:  a family’s decision about how much income to save –MICRO  the effect of government regulations on auto emissions –MACRO  the impact of higher savings on economic growth –MACRO  a firm’s decision about how many workers to hire. –MICRO  The relationship between the inflation rate and changes in the quantity of money. –MACRO

5. Economic Statements can be described as either Positive or Normative Positive Economic Statements explain the way things are. Factually based statements Can be proven true or false based on objective evidence –Example: Low interest rates lead to a decline in savings by households

6. Normative Economic Statements Describe how the world ought to be. Normative analysis involves values and judgment calls (Subjective Analysis). –For example: Interest rates should be kept high to encourage saving.

7. Positive or Normative? State governments should be allowed to collect from tobacco companies the costs of treating smoking related illnesses among the poor. Normative Higher federal budget deficits will cause interest rates to increase. Positive

8. Positive or Normative? Society ought to require welfare recipients to look for jobs –Normative

9. Economists tend to often disagree Positive economic analyses can be criticized for their scientific validity, just as scientific analysis in other fields. –Think: Global Warming! Normative Analysis involves ideas about values, and religion, including ideas about fairness and human nature. - These can be argued without end!

10. “Just once, I’d like to meet a one armed economist.” Harry Truman Economics involves Tradeoffs!!

11. Ten Propositions about Which Most Economists Agree Copyright © 2004 South-Western

12. Okay, so here is a hot topic… Positive or Normative? An increase in the minimum wage will cause a decrease in employment among the least skilled and experienced workers. The income gains from a higher minimum wage are worth more than any slight reduction in employment

13. If economists tend to look down upon minimum wage…why do politicians favor it? Against Both are for it Wants to index it

14. What should we do? Research! Minimum Wage research assignment and essays due Monday, February 7.