Economic Analysis - Assignment 1

Technical Questions
Question No.1: What are differences between the microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives on the economy?

Question No.3: What are the four major types of markets in microeconomics analysis? What are the key characteristics that distinguish these markets?

Question No.5:In macroeconomics, what are the five major categories of spending that make up GDP? Are all five categories added together to determine GDP?

Application Questions

Question No.3:In each of the following examples, discuss which market model appears to best explain the behavior described.

a.Dry weather unexpectedly cut the 2003 soybean harvest by 15 percent, making it the smallest harvest in seven years. China increased its demand for soybeans, acquiring a record 300 million U.S. bushels between September 2003 and april 2004. The Bush administration expected that U.S. farmers would respond to the high prices by planting more soybeans in the next cycle.

b. In spring 2004, general Motors launched another round of discounts, offering zero percent financing for five years loans and $1,000 additional givebacks to customers. Following GM ‘s move, Ford increased rebates on certain pickup models from $1,000 to $1,500, while DaimlerChrysler announced that 2005 minivans would come with a $1,000 rebate.

c. In spring 2004, the U.S. wireless telecommunications industry hoped that mergers among firms would decrease the number of rivals and eliminate cutthroat competation. However, the wireless carriers faced challenges from new technologies and a rush of new entrants into the market. Unlike their counterparts in the traditional phone industry, wireless companies never enjoyed a period of monopoly status.

d. Chinese cooking is the most popular food in America that isn’t dominated by big national chains. Chinese food is typically cooked in a wok that requires high heat and a special stove. Specialized chefs are also required. Small mom-and-pop restaurants comprise nearly all of the natin’s 36,000 Chinese restaurants, which have more locations than Mcdonald’s Burger King, and WENDY’S COMBINED.