What is the Big Mac Index? The Big Mac Index is a tool devised by economists in the 1980s to examine whether the currencies of various countries offer roughly equal levels of basic affordability. The Big Mac Index is based on the theory of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). History of the Big Mac Index The…
What is a Sunk Cost? A sunk cost is a cost that has already occurred and cannot be recovered by any means. Sunk costs are independent of any event and should not be considered when making investment or project decisions. Only relevant costs (costs that relate to a specific decision and will change depending on…
What is Fiat Money? Fiat money is a currency that lacks intrinsic value and is established as a legal tender by government regulation. Traditionally, currencies were backed by physical commodities such as silver and gold, but fiat money is based on the creditworthiness of the issuing government. The value of fiat money depends on supply…
What is the Opportunity Cost of a Decision? Opportunity cost is one of the key concepts in the study of economics and is prevalent throughout various decision-making processes. The opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative foregone. In simplified terms, it is the cost of what else one could have chosen to…
What is the International Monetary Fund (IMF)? The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an institution of the United Nations that sets standards for the global economy with the aim of strengthening its member countries economically. The organization currently lists 189 member countries that are represented on the IMF Executive Board. The ratio of board members…
What are Capital Controls? Capital controls are measures taken by either the government or the central bank of an economy to regulate the outflow and inflow of foreign capital in the country. The measures taken may be in the form of taxes, tariffs, volume restrictions, or outright legislation. They may be applicable to the whole…
What are Economies of Scope? Economies of scope is an economic concept that refers to the decrease in the total cost of production when a range of products are produced together rather than separately. Formula for Economies of Scope Where: C(qa) is the cost of producing quantity qa of good a separately C(qb) is the…
What is the Pigou Effect? The Pigou Effect is a theory proposed by the famous anti-Keynesian economist, Arthur Pigou. It explains a relationship between consumption, employment, and economic output during times of deflation and inflation. According to Pigou, during deflation, prices are low, which leads to greater real wealth. The increased wealth then stimulates demand,…
