Chapter 1

The Basic Economic Problem

Scarcity, choice, opportunity cost and the factors of production — with an interactive exercise.

The Basic Economic Problem is that resources are scarce but human wants are unlimited.

Because of scarcity we must make choices, and every choice has an opportunity cost — the next best thing given up. The four factors of production are land, labour, capital and enterprise.

Remember

  • Scarcity forces choice; choice has an opportunity cost.
  • Factors of production: land, labour, capital, enterprise.

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