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Economics 201H (Section 5) Introduction to Microeconomics

Dive into the fundamentals of Microeconomics with Professor John Goddeeris to grasp how society manages scarce resources, the concept of rational behavior, and the role of markets in organizing economic activity.

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Economics 201H (Section 5) Introduction to Microeconomics

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  1. Economics 201H (Section 5)Introduction to Microeconomics • Prof. John Goddeeris • Office: 106 Marshall Hall • Hours: M W 1:00-2:30 and by appointment • Phone: 353-6466 • E-mail: goddeeri@msu.edu • http://courses.bus.msu.edu/ECON/201/005H EC 201H Fall 2001

  2. Information about you • Name (and what you would like to be called) • Class year (Freshman, Sophomore,…) • Where are you from? • What are you studying (if you know)? • Any previous Economics (including high school or AP)? EC 201H Fall 2001

  3. What is Microeconomics? • A Social Science • Social: About people and how they interact • Science: Develop theories to make predictions, test them against real data • What sets Economics apart? Scope and Method EC 201H Fall 2001

  4. What is Microeconomics? • Key concepts: Scarcity and Choice • Economics is the study of how society manages its scarce resources • Microeconomics starts with the individual • Usually assumes “rational” behavior EC 201H Fall 2001

  5. People face tradeoffs • The cost of something is what you give up to get it EC 201H Fall 2001

  6. Rational people think at the margin • People respond to incentives EC 201H Fall 2001

  7. Trade can make everyone better off • Markets are usually a good way to organize economic activity EC 201H Fall 2001

  8. Governments can sometimes improve market outcomes • A country’s standard of living depends on its ability to produce goods and services EC 201H Fall 2001

  9. In-Class Exercise: Let’s consider replacing the U.S. economic system with one where everyone is paid exactly the same salary. • Would you personally favor such a system? Explain. • What problems would exist? • Are there mechanisms that could be enacted to overcome these problems? • Who would benefit from this system? • What jobs would be hard to fill? EC 201H Fall 2001

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