FUNDAMENTALS of ECONOMICS
The Aim & Scope of Economics:
The study of economics is aimed at finding the natural law governing an economy and its scope is to find the ideal principles for the working of an economy based on those findings.
There is no such Thing as Free Lunch:
It is the most fundamental law of nature that every thing has either monetary or non-monetary value. Though generally things have both monetary and non-monetary aspects, never the less for the purpose of simplicity and understanding we only consider monetary aspect of things in economics.
INVISBILE HAND
This is the most vital as well as an extremely difficult idea to logically explain, and however absolutely impossible to mathematically prove it. Perhaps in order to understand it one needs to think beyond logic and one may comprehend it after one's own peculiar experiences. How the invisible hand plays it role in making financial shifts among individuals, groups and even among nations can be understood by studying natural phenomenon viz., the animal world, the plant world, the rotation of the solar system, the rain, diseases, wars, natural disasters etc. Moreover the mental state of an individual changes continuously and mysteriously which affects one's decision making and other faculties that results in changes in one's economic/financial conditions. Uncontrollable and unpredictable invisible factors beyond human control brought financial changes.
Defining Economics:
Economics deals with the efficient management (by the individuals & entrepreneurs) of scarce resources to satisfy unlimited human wants by applying science & technology in the market.
* Efficiency can be defined as doing things in a best possible manner.
Basic Economic Problem:
Scarcity of Resources, Unlimited Wants & Choice:
It is a known fact that our resources (time, raw materials, land, human resources, machines, money etc.) are limited while our wants are unlimited and recurring therefore we have to make some choice among available alternatives to satisfy our wants.
Economic Resources:
Economic resources can be broadly divided into following four categories:
o Land & Raw Materials:
These are free gifts of nature. All things derived from nature are included in this category.
o Labor:
It consists of the contribution of human beings.
o Capital:
It consists of plant & Equipment.
o Mind/Entrepreneurial Ability:
Entrepreneurial ability refers to the ability to organize production and bear risks. Some people are more intelligent and have the gift of managing things better than others. It is due to their contribution that societies develop. Due to this reason we categorize this resource separately from labor.
Motivating Force - Self Interest:
