UNIT-Ist

MICRO ECONOMICS
Topic- SUBJECT MATTER OR SCOPE OF MICROECONOMICS

Micro Economics is concerned with the following topics :1. Commodity Pricing
Prices of individual commodities are determined by market forces of demand and
supply. So micro economics makes demand analysis (individual consumer
behaviour) and supply analysis (individual producer behaviour).
2. Factor Pricing
Land, labour, capital and entrepreneur, all factors contribute in production process.
So they get rewards in the form of rent, wages, interest and profit respectively.
Micro economics deals with determination of such rewards i.e. factor prices. So
micro economics is also called as 'Price Theory' or 'Value Theory'.

3. Welfare Theory
Micro economics deals with optimum allocation of available resources and
maximisation of social welfare. It provides answers for 'What to produce?', 'When to
produce?', 'How to produce?' and 'For whom it is to be produced?'. In short, Micro
economics guides for utilizing scarce resources of economy to maximize public
welfare.

Characteristics / Features of Microeconomics

Classical economists always insisted on micro economics because they believed
that it is better to understand concept at individual level and then go for general (or
macro) level. E.g. first understanding individual consumer behaviour and then
analyzing the behaviour of entire market.

1. Nature of Analysis
In micro economics, the behaviour of individual consumers and producers in detail
is analysed. It is study of subject matter from particular to general.
2. Method
Micro economics divides the economy into various small units and every unit is
analysed in detail. It is a slicing method.
3. Scope
Micro economic analysis involves product pricing, factor pricing and theory of
welfare.
4. Application
Both theoretically and practically, micro economics is useful in formulating various
policies, resource allocation, public finance, international trade, etc.
5. Nature of Assumptions
Assumption of Ceteris Paribus is always made in every micro economic theory. It
means theory is applicable only when 'other things being same'.

Uses / Importance / Advantages of Microeconomics

1. Individual Behaviour Analysis
Micro economics studies behaviour of individual consumer or producer in a
particular situation.
2. Resource Allocation
Resources are already scare i.e less in quantity. Micro economics helps in proper
allocation and utilization of resources to produce various types of goods and
services.
3. Price Mechanization
Micro economics decides prices of various goods and services on the basis of
'Demand-Supply Analysis'.
4. Economic Policy
Micro economics helps in formulating various economic policies and economic plans
to promote all round economic development.
5. Free Enterprise Economy
Micro economics explain operating of a free enterprise economy where individual
has freedom to take his own economic decisions.
6. Public Finance
It helps the government in fixing the tax rate and the type of tax as well as the
amount of tax to be charged to the buyer and the seller.
7. Foreign Trade
It helps in explaining and fixing international trade and tariff rules, causes of
disequilibrium in BOP, effects of factors deciding exchange rate, etc.
8. Social Welfare
It not only analyse economic conditions but also studies the social needs under
different market conditions like monopoly, oligopoly, etc.

Disadvantages / Limitations of Microeconomics

1. Unrealistic Assumptions
Micro economics is based on unrealistic assumptions, especially in case of full
employment assumption which does not exist practically. Even behaviour of one
individual can not be generalised as the behaviour of all.
2. Inadequate Data
Micro economics is based on the information dealing with individual behaviour,
individual customers. Hence, it is difficult to get correct information. So because of
incorrect data Micro Economics may provide inaccurate results.
3. Ceteris Paribus
It assumes that all other things being equal (same) but actually it is not so