AmosWEB is Economics: GLOSS*arama

Sunday
May 10, 2026

AmosWEB means Economics with a Touch of Whimsy!

WIDGET: A fictitious good commonly used by economic instructors to demonstrate economic principles or undertake hypothetical analyses. For example, the analysis of short-run production for a firm might be demonstrated through the production of widgets. Alternatively, the law of demand might be illustrated with a table or curve comparing the price of widgets with the quantity demanded of widgets. If such a good exists, and there is no clear evidence that widgets have every existed, it is a small mechanical device, constructed of interlocking cogs, several knobs, and at least one handle. Widgets are most often used when thingamajigs and dohickies are unavailable.

Visit the GLOSS*arama

Most Viewed (Number)

Visit the WEB*pedia

TERM LIMITS: A policy designed in part to address the public sector efficiency created by re-election seeking political leaders by limiting the amount of time politicians can hold elected office ONLY. Once the limit has been reached, the politician can serve no more... in that particular office. The goal of term limits is to prevent political leaders from spending excessive effort seeking re-election and pursuing policies that appease only the special interest groups that might ensure re-election. The U.S. Presidency has had term limits in place for decades and a number of state and local offices also operate with term limits. Unfortunately term limit restrict voter choices. Perhaps the current office holder actually is the best person for the job and the one preferred by the voters. This matters not. Someone else will be elected. In addition, placing term limits on one office doesn't prevent the politician from seeking election to another office, and in so doing, curry the favor of the same special interest groups.

Recommended Citation:

TERM LIMITS, AmosWEB GLOSS*arama, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: May 10, 2026].

Search Again?

Back to the GLOSS*arama

AUTONOMOUS INVESTMENT

Business investment expenditures that do not depend on income or production (especially national income or even gross domestic product). That is, changes in income do not generate changes in investment. Autonomous investment is best thought of as investment that the business sector undertakes regardless of the state of the economy. It is measured by the intercept term of the investment line. The alternative to autonomous investment is induced investment, which does depend on income.

Complete Entry | Visit the WEB*pedia

BROWN PRAGMATOX
[What's This?]

Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time at a going out of business sale looking to buy either a printer that works with your stockpile of ink cartridges or income tax software. Be on the lookout for telephone calls from former employers.
Your Complete Scope

This isn't me! What am I?

The penny is the only coin minted by the U.S. government in which the "face" on the head looks to the right. All others face left.

"Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances. "

-- Bruce Barton, Advertising executive

WE
Walrasian Equilibrium

A PEDestrian's Guide
Xtra Credit

Tell us what you think about AmosWEB. Like what you see? Have suggestions for improvements? Let us know. Click the User Feedback link.

User Feedback

| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |