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University of the People *

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101

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Economics

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Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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As per the principles of economics, scarcity refers to the limited availability of resources in comparison to the unlimited wants and needs of individuals and society. This issue creates a fundamental economic problem that requires individuals and societies to make choices about how to allocate the scarce resources to satisfy their wants and needs. In the context of scarcity, people and societies need to make choices regarding the allocation of their limited resources. Choice involves selecting among available options and often requires trade-offs. This means that individuals and societies must give up some alternatives to pursue others. Opportunity cost is a fundamental concept in economics that refers to the value of the benefits that are lost when choosing one option over another. It is essentially the cost of the next best alternative forgone. By making a particular choice, we give up the potential benefits that could have been gained from the alternative we did not choose. This concept emphasizes the importance of trade-offs and the need to consider the full cost of a decision. In a world with limited resources and infinite wants, understanding opportunity cost is crucial for making informed decisions. As resources become scarce, choices must be made which involve opportunity cost. In order to allocate limited resources, individuals and societies must decide between alternative uses, leading to trade-offs. Opportunity cost represents the benefits that could have been gained from the alternative that was not chosen. An example of the concept of opportunity cost can be seen in personal finance. Let's say an individual has a limited income and needs to decide how to allocate it between two options:
buying a new car or saving for a down payment on a house. If the individual chooses to buy a new car, the opportunity cost is the down payment on the house that could have been saved. On the other hand, if the individual chooses to save for a down payment on a house, the opportunity cost is the new car that could have been purchased instead. Understanding the fundamental concepts of scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost is crucial in the field of economics. These concepts require individuals and societies to make decisions regarding the allocation of their limited resources. Such decisions often involve trade-offs and opportunity costs. By understanding these concepts, individuals can make more informed decisions and maximize the benefits from the resources available to them. Reference: FTE. (nd). Lesson 1: Opportunity cost. Retrieved from https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher- resources/lesson-plans/edsulessons/lesson-1-opportunity-cost/#:~:text=Benchmarks%3A,goods %20and%20services%20one%20wants . Rittenberg L. and T. Tregarthen (2009). Economics: The Study of Choice. Principles of Microeconomics Retrieved from: http://www.web-books.com/eLibrary/NC/B0/B63/TOC.html
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