2017 Cengage Learning. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website,

© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.

Chapter 1 Introducing the Economic Way of Thinking

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Scarcity permeates the entire human experience. Scarcity means we are unable to have as much as we would like to have. Our wants are unlimited. But, our production capabilities are limited by our factors of production, which include land, labor (the entrepreneur is a special type of labor) and capital (plant and equipment). Because we are faced with scarcity we must make choices. Choices are made at the "macro" and "micro" level. Macroeconomics is concerned with the entire economic system, whereas microeconomics is concerned with some particular segment of the economy.Economics can be further subdivided into positive ("what is") and normative ("what ought to be") economic analysis. We would all be well advised to first have a firm handle on "what is" before we argue "what ought to be." This takes us to a look at how economists derive positive economic theories---a look at the methodology of economics. That methodology is the same scientific methodology used in all sciences---it is the process of induction and deduction. Theories can be expressed: 1) verbally, or in written form, 2) as a numerical table, 3) graphically, or 4) mathematically. Theories are helpful to understanding the relationship between economic variables but should be used with caution. Two common pitfalls to clear thinking are the failure to understand the ceteris paribus assumption and confusing association and causation.The appendix to this chapter focuses on how theories can be expressed graphically. Graphs are visual aids that help us see the direct or inverse relationship between two or more sets of data or variables.

NEW CONCEPTS INTRODUCED

scarcity labor economics entrepreneurship ceteris paribus resources capital macroeconomics normative economics land model microeconomics positive economics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:

• Understand the problem of scarcity.
• Explain factors of production.
• Distinguish between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
• Understand how a model explains the relationship between variables.
• Understand the importance of the ceteris paribus assumption,
• Explain the difference between association and causation.
• Classify an argument as either positive or normative.

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Economics for Today

© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.

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CHAPTER OUTLINE

1-1 The Problem of Scarcity

1-2 Scarce Resources and Production

• Land
• Labor
• Capital

Exhibit 1 "Three Categories of Resources"

1-3 Economics: The Study of Scarcity and Choice

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics

1-4 The Methodology of Economics

• Problem Identification
• Model Development
• Testing a Theory

Exhibit 2 "The Steps in the Model-Building Process"

Checkpoint: "Can You Prove There Is No Trillion-Dollar Person?"

1-5 Hazards of the Economic Way of Thinking

• The Ceteris Paribus Assumption
• Association versus Causation

Checkpoint: "Should Nebraska State Join a Big-Time Athletic Conference?"

You're The Economist: Analyze the Issue

"Mops and Brooms, the Boston Snow Index, the Super Bowl, and Other Economic Indicators"

Applicable Concept: association versus causation.

1-6 Why do Economists Disagree?

• Positive Economics
• Normative Economics

You're The Economist: Analyze the Issue

"Does Raising The Minimum Wage Help The Working Poor?" Applicable Concept: positive and normative analysis.

1-7 Careers in Economics

Exhibit 3 "Average Yearly Salary Offers for Selected Majors"

Summary of Conclusion Statements

• The problem of scarcity and choice are basic economic problems faced by every society.
• Money by itself does not produce goods and services; instead, it is only a means of buying

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Chapter 1: Introducing the Economic Way of Thinking

© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.3

• The fact that one event follows another does not necessarily mean that the first event caused

the second event.

• Economists’ forecasts can differ because using the same methodology, economists can agree

that event A causes event B, but disagree over the assumption that event A will occur.

• When opinions or points of view are not based on facts, they are scientifically untestable.

HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING

• Try to use this chapter for generating as much interest in economics as possible. Don't feel too

pressed for time. Treat this chapter thoroughly---especially, "theories." It will be time well spent.(Some additional comments with respect to theories are found below.) You may want to start the class by asking students what they want to get out of the class---what they always wanted to know and were afraid to ask. Let them know that there is no such thing as a "silly" question. (Establishing a rapport with your students at the first opportunity will pay off!) Although you may field some questions which are best treated in some detail later, go ahead and survey the issues at hand and indicate that they will be treated in more detail later when it is more logical to do so---but for now ask them to note that these issues stem from the fact that we are faced with scarcity.Moreover, you will probably be given the opportunity to stress the difference between "positive" and "normative" economic analysis---the difference between "fact" and "opinion." For the “You’re the Economist” on the minimum wage, be sure to note that you will return to this issue in Chapter 4 as an application of supply and demand analysis. Finally, take the opportunity to show by your actions that you will be keeping the course as application-oriented, or "user-friendly" as possible.

• Indicate that in economics, capital is not money! It is defined as "plant and equipment." Students

often get "capital" and "money" confused.

• Point out that scarcity is not a synonym for poverty. Even "rich" nations like the United States (and

rich people) are faced with scarcity because they are unable to have as much as they would like to have. Indicate that all nations face scarcity and as a result they face 3 challenges: 1) They all try to produce as much as they can and this is why full employment is an important goal; 2) All nations try to produce that combination that most satisfies society; and 3) All nations try to distribute production in some fair or equitable fashion. This is related to the 3 fundamental economic questions (”What,” How,” and For Whom”) discussed in Chapter 2.

• Give some examples of economic investigations and ask students to distinguish between whether they

are of concern to "macro" or "micro."

• Indicate that theories are realistic because they are based on facts. Theories are practical because

they avoid unnecessary detail and enhance our understanding of relationships among economic variables. Theories (general statements about the causal relationship between variables based on facts) are extremely useful in developing workable policies to address a real-world problem. In sum, stress that economists derive economic theories because they are useful in the development of economic policies designed to solve real-world economic problems.

• Indicate that there are really three forces at play in the real world in which we all live: economic,

social and political. These three forces are often in conflict. Sound or rational economic reasoning doesn't always prevail---especially when it comes to developing "economic" policy in a political environment.

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Economics for Today

© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.

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CRITICAL THINKING /GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Why isn't money a resource?

It isn't used in the production process; it merely facilitates trade.

• Respond to the following statement: "Theories are of no use to me because they are not very practical.

All I need are the facts because they speak for themselves." Facts don't speak for themselves. Facts are meaningless unless there is a theory to tie them together.

• Does economics help to teach us how to approach problems, or does it provide us with a set of

answers to problems?It teaches us "how to think." It doesn't provide us with answers.

• To what extent do you think normative economic analysis, as opposed to positive economic analysis

determines our nation's public policy decisions made by government? Why? Is that "good" or "bad?" Why?This is debatable.

• What are our nation's major macroeconomic goals? Are they in conflict with each other?

Full employment, low inflation, and high rates of economic growth are our nation's major macro goals. Also note that they are often in conflict with each other. For example, full employment and more rapid growth create higher rates of inflation.

CLASSROOM GAMES

Approximately 170 non-computerized economic games (experiments) for use in the classroom are available for free at http://www.marietta.edu/~delemeeg/games/. The following games are recommended

to help teach some of the concepts in this chapter:

There are no recommended games for this chapter.

ANSWERS TO: "You're the Economist: Analyze the Issue"

MOPS AND BROOMS, THE BOSTON SNOW INDEX, THE SUPER BOWL, AND OTHER

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Do you believe any of the above indicators are examples of causation? Explain.

Each example involves association and not causation.

DOES RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE HELP THE WORKING POOR?

• Identify two positive and two normative statements given concerning raising the minimum wage. List

other minimum wage arguments not discussed in the Economics in Practice, and classify them as either positive or normative economics.

"In 1938 Congress enacted. . ." (positive economics) "Today a minimum wage worker. . . deplorable annual increase." (normative economics) "Only a small percentage. . . are full-time workers below the poverty line." (positive economics) "They say it is outrageous that a worker can work full-time and. . ." (normative economics)

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