|
|
SECOND RULE OF SUBJECTIVITY: The second of seven basic rules of the economy. It is the notion that market prices are ultimately determined by subjective values and preferences of buyers and resource owners. While regular, everyday consumers are prone to accept the prices "set" by retail stores and other sellers as etched in stone (perhaps along with the Biblical ten commandments), such is not the case. The price of a product depends on two things, demand (especially the demand price that buyers are willing to pay) and supply (especially the supply price that sellers are willing to accept). Both, I repeat both, are subjectively determined. By subjective, I mean they are based on the values, beliefs, tastes, and preferences of people.
Visit the GLOSS*arama
|
|
|
|
                           STABLE EQUILIBRIUM: Equilibrium that is restored if disrupted by an external force. Most economic models have equilibrium that is stable, reflecting the observation that the real world adapts to changes and maintains a fair degree of stability. The alternative to a stable equilibrium is an unstable equilibrium. A stable equilibrium exists if a model or system gravitates back to equilibrium after it is shocked. The analogy is much like a marble resting at the bottom of a bowl. Should the marble be nudged a bit up one side of the bowl, it returns, eventually coming to rest at the bottom once again.A common example of a stable equilibrium in the study of economics is a market equilibrium. Should the equilibrium be disrupted, the market returns to equilibrium. The process works like this: What makes this a stable equilibrium is that balance is restored automatically, through the fundamental workings of the market. In particular, the price changes in the correct direction to eliminate the shortage or surplus.- Shortage: A shortage arises if the market price is below the equilibrium price. The quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied. The shortage then prompts the price to rise. Buyers, who are unable to buy as much of the good as they want, bid the price higher. A higher price is exactly the remedy needed. The price rise causes a decrease in the quantity demanded (according to the law of demand) and an increase in the quantity supplied (according to the law of supply). Both changes in quantity act to reduce and eventually eliminate the shortage, thus restoring equilibrium.
- Surplus: A surplus arises if the market price is above the equilibrium price. The quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. The surplus then prompts the price to fall. Sellers, who are unable to sell as much of the good as they want, force the price lower. A lower price is exactly the remedy needed. The price decline causes an increase in the quantity demanded (according to the law of demand) and a decrease in the quantity supplied (according to the law of supply). Both changes in quantity act to reduce and eventually eliminate the surplus, thus restoring equilibrium.
The contrast to stable equilibrium is unstable equilibrium. The preceding market equilibrium is unstable if a shortage causes the price to fall, rather than rise, and a surplus causes the price to rise, rather than fall. In this case, the price movement increases the shortage or surplus, moving the market farther away from equilibrium.
Recommended Citation:STABLE EQUILIBRIUM, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: April 28, 2024].
Check Out These Related Terms... | | | | | |
Or For A Little Background... | | | | | | | | |
And For Further Study... | | | | | | | | | | |
Search Again?
Back to the WEB*pedia
|
|
|
|
Potato chips were invented in 1853 by a irritated chef repeatedly seeking to appease the hard to please Cornelius Vanderbilt who demanded french fried potatoes that were thinner and crisper than normal.
|
|
|
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." -- Aristotle
|
|
PPC
Production Possibilities Curve
|
|
|
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
|
|
