- Opportunity Cost
- Optimal decision making using Marginal Cost and Marginal Benefits
- Specialization leads to better standard of living (comparative advantage)
- Incentives matter
- Invisible hand works but sometimes it breaks down (market failures: externalities, public goods and tragedy of commons)
Could a course be built around these five concepts?
I mean giving these 5 points to the students at the begining of the course and as I teach the course ask them to connect the subject with one of the 5 points. Supply and Demand are basically Marginal cost Marginal Utility curves. Economics profit vs. Accounting profits when teaching Monopoly vs. Perfect competition ties in with opportunity cost.
I have not thought this out all the way but it could satify student thirst for specifics at the same time converting them to the dismal religion of economics.
Did I forget any other concept? These are the five I usually cover. Have I forgotten any other? Should I cut this list down (5 concept is too many)?
what are the five economics concepts that are relevent for you in your daily decision making process?
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