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ABSTRACTION: Simplifying the complexities of the real world by ignoring (hopefully) unimportant details while doing economic analysis. Abstraction is often criticized because it's, well, it's JUST NOT REALISTIC. However, when done correctly (ignoring things that JUST DON'T MATTER), then the pursuit of knowledge is greatly enhanced by abstraction. For example, when travelling cross country along a high-speed interstate highway, a paper road map is a handy tool. It shows towns and cities along the way, the major intersections, rest stop locations, and other important points of interest. However, it ignores unimportant details. It doesn't realistically show the location of every tree, bush, or blade of grass. Why bother? This information won't enhance your road trip.
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                           RESOURCE ALLOCATION: The process of distributing resources for the production of goods and services which are then distributed for the satisfaction of wants and needs and human consumption. This is also commonly referred to by the single word "allocation." The resource allocation process is an essential part of an economy's effort to address the problem of scarcity Given that world is rampant with scarcity (unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources), not every want and need can be satisfied with available resources. Choices have to be made. Some wants and needs are satisfied, some are not. These choices, these decisions are the resource allocation process.EfficiencyAn efficient resource allocation exists if society has achieved the highest possible level of satisfaction of wants and needs from the available resources AND resources cannot be allocated differently to achieve any greater satisfaction.Three QuestionsThis whole resource allocation process is frequently viewed as answering three key questions:- What goods and services are produced with the available resources?
- How are available resources combined in the production of goods and services?
- For Whom are the goods and services produced?
Markets and GovernmentsResource allocation is accomplished through both voluntary market exchanges and involuntary government-imposed actions. Markets accomplish the process using prices, which create incentives for both producers and consumers. Governments address this process using regulations, taxes, and spending, which also create incentives among members of society.Both methods are necessary in a modern economy. Many resource allocation decisions are best made through markets, but some resource allocation decisions are better addressed using the coercive powers of government.
Recommended Citation:RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: September 13, 2026].
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Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time at a going out of business sale seeking to buy either a small, foam rubber football or an instructional DVD on learning to the play the oboe. Be on the lookout for letters from the Internal Revenue Service.
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Okun's Law posits that the unemployment rate increases by 1% for every 2% gap between real GDP and full-employment real GDP.
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"Just as iron rusts from disuse, even so does inaction spoil the intellect. " -- Leonardo da Vinci, architect, artist
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