When people hear the term “economy” what usually comes to mind is the word economy has something to do with money. This could be true if money was the only element to speak of, but in fact this is not so. An economy is a field of interaction, production, distribution of goods and services, and the relationships between agents involved in the process. In simple terms, it’s defined as a social network that emphasize the practices, thoughts, and material exchanges related to the production, usage, and control of resources. Although there are many factors that contribute to the creation of an economy, it typically revolves around five elements.
These five elements, although they overlap significantly, allow for the evolution of economies through different types of systems. The traditional economy, also known as the formal economy, includes markets for products and services and some level of exchange. Economies based on market economies, that is, economies without any government regulation, provide individuals with the ability to purchase goods and services that are produced at a low cost, with little or no reliance on other countries, and where money is transacted solely within the economy.
The second kind of economy is referred to as the microeconomics and is characterized by the absence of large markets and great emphasis on micro-level processes. Microeconomics is often considered to be a form of economics that is less focused on the national level and more localized in nature. Many economists define microeconomics as a distinct branch of economics that diverges from traditional economics through either methodological principles or a focus on micro-processes such as marketing or pricing. This branch is currently experiencing rapid growth and changes at the local and national level.
The third type of economy is referred to as the national economy and is governed by national interest rates, national spending programs, national infrastructure, federal taxation, and federal regulation. National economies are primarily based on the value of goods and services produced by local businesses. These economies are generally based on national currency rather than foreign currencies. National economies experience great fluctuations due to fluctuations in the values of commodities and currencies. They also experience great variation due to changes in consumer demand, which can affect prices.
The fourth and final main economic system is referred to as the market economy and is influenced by the interdependence of producers, suppliers, consumers, and governments. Market economies provide a wide range of opportunities to consumers, including both buying and selling of goods and services. It is characterized by intense competition between buyers and sellers and the ability of the market economy to coordinate the supply of demand. Market economies also experience great fluctuations, especially in relation to the state of the national economy. These fluctuations are caused by the state of the balance of payments, which are typically based on trade balances and account for fluctuations in the supply and demand of goods and services.
The four different types of economics are quite complex and have numerous sub-econsystems. Economics students will be better prepared for the rigors of economics if they understand each of these economic systems clearly and gain a broad understanding of how they interact with each other. Learning about the differences between the types of economics helps individuals make better decisions for their own households, businesses, governments, and the world at large. Graduates with an economics major may even decide to start their own business or enter the professional arena of economics. If you’re planning on pursuing an economic career, choosing your major is very important to ensure you are qualified for the career of your dreams.