Price Mechanism Flashcards Preview

AQA AS Micro-Economics > Price Mechanism > Flashcards

Flashcards in Price Mechanism Deck (5)
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1
Q

Incentives

A

For competitive markets to work efficiently economic agents (i.e. consumers and producers) must respond to price signals in the market.

2
Q

Price mechanism

A

The means by which decisions of consumers and businesses interact to determine the allocation of resources. The free-market price mechanism clearly does NOT ensure an equitable distribution of resources and can lead to market failure.

3
Q

Price signals

A

Changes in price act as a signal about how resources should be allocated. A rise in price encourages producers to switch into making that good but encourages consumers to use an alternative substitute product (therefore rationing the product).

4
Q

Rationing

A

A rising price can reduce the quantity demanded of a good or service.

5
Q

Signalling

A

Prices have a signalling function because the price in a market sends important information to producers and consumers.