What is Economy: Definition and 98 Discussions

An economy (from Greek οίκος – "household" and νέμoμαι – "manage") is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services by different agents. In general, it is defined 'as a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with the production, use, and management of resources'. A given economy is the result of a set of processes that involves its culture, values, education, technological evolution, history, social organization, political structure and legal systems, as well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, as main factors. These factors give context, content, and set the conditions and parameters in which an economy functions. In other words, the economic domain is a social domain of interrelated human practices and transactions that does not stand alone.
Economic agents can be individuals, businesses, organizations, or governments. Economic transactions occur when two groups or parties agree to the value or price of the transacted good or service, commonly expressed in a certain currency. However, monetary transactions only account for a small part of the economic domain.
Economic activity is spurred by production which uses natural resources, labor and capital. It has changed over time due to technology, innovation (new products, services, processes, expanding markets, diversification of markets, niche markets, increases revenue functions) such as, that which produces intellectual property and changes in industrial relations (most notably child labor being replaced in some parts of the world with universal access to education).
A market-based economy is one where goods and services are produced and exchanged according to demand and supply between participants (economic agents) by barter or a medium of exchange with a credit or debit value accepted within the network, such as a unit of currency. A command-based economy is one where political agents directly control what is produced and how it is sold and distributed. A green economy is low-carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. In a green economy, growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. A gig economy is one in which short-term jobs are assigned or chosen via online platforms. New economy is a term that referred to the whole emerging ecosystem where new standards and practices were introduced, usually as a result of technological innovations. The global economy refers to humanity's economic system or systems overall.

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  1. G

    Difference between economy tyre and sport tyre?

    What is economy tyre? What is the difference between economy tyre and sport tyre?
  2. Loren Booda

    How much of the world economy can one person control?

    Is there a constraint as to the amount of wealth a single speculator can amass?
  3. N

    How Does Cooling and Reheating Save Energy Compared to Continuous Heating?

    Suppose we have a body (cube or sphere) at temperature T1. The surrounding area has a constant temperature T2 with T2<T1. We need to deliver the body at temperature T1 at some time in the future. There are two options: We can heat the body continuously at temperature T1 or we can allow the body...
  4. A

    News Mixed Economy the only real and reasonable economic system?

    After watching socialism and capitalism, looks like they both fail in idealizing human beings, markets or goverment(in resume human beings). European countries are mixed economies and USA surpasses England implementing Mixed economy not capitalism. The American School (also known as the...
  5. Greg Bernhardt

    Digital Economy Bill in UK a Menace to Privacy?

    The UK parliament*recently passed a piece of legislation called the*Digital Economy Bill (now known as the Digital Economy Act, or DEA). *The DEA is a collection of measures designed to target copyright and other IP violations on the Internet and in other forms of electronic communication...
  6. Evo

    Candy Craze: A Look at Sweets and Our Economy

    I've noticed recently that candy has become a real craze with all kinds of large candy stores cropping up. Does candy become more popular when the econmomy gets bad? I notice shows on it on tv more and more, like right now "Extreme candy" is on Food tv. Kurdt loves his sweets, candy...
  7. W

    News US Economy Facing 'Death by a Thousand Cuts': Roubini

    more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/32837255 :bugeye:
  8. J

    How Could E0 Building Materials Impact the Economy and Health?

    I am a cabinet maker, and recently, I have had a lot of demand for E0, as they learn that Formaldehyde emissions from many building products are hazardous to your health. "Sources of Formaldehyde Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) and...
  9. O

    News How Does the CBS Tape Impact Global Economy and Terrorism?

    http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/10/world/worldwatch/entry5076823.shtml Well, here's something I don't think I've heard anybody predict. I think the biggest question is how did CBS get their hands on this tape?
  10. Ivan Seeking

    Has the economy affected your summer vacation plans?

    Would you or your close family members normally take a vacation, but won't this year because of the economy? Please indicate by your selection if you live in the US or not. Obviously we can't list every possible country of origin, but it could be mentioned in a post along with your perception...
  11. J

    Economy & Job Search Tips for Physics Majors

    I am physics major who has tried applying to all types of internships and jobs and have not had any luck? This trouble led me to apply to PhD programs were I have had greater success than finding a fulltime job I suspect this might be due to the economy but not sure. Are there any jobs other...
  12. baywax

    Is Economic Growth Necessary for a healthy economy?

    Is "Economic Growth" Necessary for a healthy economy?? I've asked a few of the number crunchers I've met if economic growth was necessary for a healthy economy and they can't answer me. I've pointed out that unchecked growth inevitably leads to the destruction of a system as is the case with...
  13. Math Is Hard

    Sour economy = tough times for pets

    I was afraid we would be seeing stories like this soon. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-129547 Please help your local animal shelters if you can.
  14. T

    Math Bad economy and funding in science and maths?

    Assume the economy is in a recession. How badly will decrease in funding be in the sciences and maths research? Which area will be worse hit science or maths? For the worst hit, which area in it would be hit worst?
  15. D

    News Can the market alone fix the economy?

    With numbers being thrown about in the range of $100's of million to $100's of billion, a growing trade deficit, an ever expanding public debt and private debt it looks like the economy is nearing the end of the road. Is it bad, is it good, does it need mending?
  16. I

    News Is my view of the world economy too simplistic?

    Inflation in our world economy is determined by the amount of money chasing the available products and services. This is not the same as 'pricing' which is set by the demand for products and services. Now, recently the world banking system lost billions. The money has not vanished into thin air...
  17. J

    Is the Federal Reserve System Benefiting or Burdening Taxpayers?

    Trying to figure out how our economy works gives me a headache. 1) The Treasury borrows money from the federal reserve right. Where does the federal reserve get the money? 2) Does the country pay interest to the federal reserve, and if so, how much and who gets the profit? 3) Why do we...
  18. H

    Post-Job-Acceptance E-mail / Bad Economy

    I accepted a position with a major defense company (not Lockheed Martin or BAE) into their engineering leadership development program before this economy went down the drain. As anyone would be, in any field, I'm a little nervous as to whether or not they'll cancel my job offer or...
  19. M

    What role does a Bank play in the economy.

    Hey:) I'm trying to think of ways in which Banks play a role in the economy as a whole, and what you would gain in terms of experience in the field of finance. I just wanted to know how those two areas of business are linked to Banking. Thanks!
  20. Loren Booda

    News One's role in improving the economy

    How can the average person's actions encourage the world market back to wellness, if not back to sameness? Actions like recognition of energy consumption, conservation of resources, or responsibility for the community's poor. Also, how might the destructiveness of greed be controlled in...
  21. L

    Academic Retirement & The Economy

    Will the current state of the economy - and here I'm at least partially talking about the 2 trillion dollars of retirement benefits that have been lost - affect academic retirement rates? For a decade we've been hearing that the baby boomers were about to retire. I remember hearing that this...
  22. Greg Bernhardt

    News What is wrong with the US economy? Part 2

    Previous discussion here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=130611 Feds leave interest rate unchanged at 2% Market reacts in a triple digit loss. AIG down 45%
  23. K

    Debunking the hydrogen economy

    The only way a hydrogen economy would make sense is if it produced energy (e.g. via fusion). Without getting energy from hydrogen, fuel cell vehicles and etc are basically overly complicated batteries.
  24. M

    Schools Bad economy influencing graduate schools?

    I was wondering whether or not the new state of the economy (recession) will have much of an effect on graduate school as far as whether schools won't offer as many stipends due to increased living expenses or what not. Any insight?
  25. Holocene

    Is It Worth Quitting a Job for a College Degree in Today's Economy?

    Why quit an established job to go college? I know, I know, with a degree you make more money; it's worth it in the long run. Funny thing is, with aspirations of someday becoming a commercial pilot, the degree would only be used to achieve some level of competitiveness, and is not even close to...
  26. Ivan Seeking

    News Can a New Democracies Organization Level the Playing Field in Globalization?

    I am a believer that globalization is not only unavoidable, but also that in the long term it is good for everyone. However, we see tremendous inequities between developed and developing nations in the labor and environmental protection laws, safety laws, enforcement of these laws, and oversight...
  27. J

    News French economy- how can it not collapse

    French economy- why hasnt it collapsed yet ? Hey i live in France, and i wonder how the French economy can keep it itself from collapsing I mean : they have all sorts of taxes (regular taxes, social security, retirement, and all sort of others) these taxes often take u away 50 percent of ur...
  28. H

    Salvage Value [Engineering Economy]

    Homework Statement How much would the owner of a building be justified in paying for a sprinkler system that will save $750 a year in insurance premiums, if the system has to be replaced every 20 yrs and has a salvage value equal to 10% of its initial cost? Assume money is worth 7%...
  29. D

    How does a post industrial economy work exactly?

    i was talking to someone about how manufacturing jobs were being outsourced to china and how the federal government should be discouraging this because it makes poor economic sense for the citizens of the usa and the guy said something in the lines of "its not as bad as all that. north america...
  30. B

    How Does Ethanol Impact Fuel Economy Compared to Gasoline?

    Homework Statement An automobile has a fuel economy of 25mi/gal when combusting gasoline. If the engine is modified to burn pure ethanol, but the engine effeciency stays the same, what is the expected fuel economy? If the ethanol powered engine is 10 percent more efficent than the gasoline...
  31. ShawnD

    Are credit cards bad for the economy?

    Credit cards generally cause people to spend more money because it becomes easier to spend money. On the other side of this, the interest on credit card debt removes money from the overall economy so people have less money to spend. If you have your typical $10,000 credit card debt (I believe...
  32. K

    News Money is simply the traffic signals of economy

    When you go to the checkout, after collecting all the groceries, the money (and the amount of money) transferred serves as a green light. You are then allowed to leave the store legally with the groceries. If it is not enough money it's the red light. If its "I left my wallet at home" it's a...
  33. W

    Economics - Outrageous Admisitrative Barriers to Trade and Australia's Economy

    Hey guys post all the stupid and outrageous barriers to trade excuses that you can find here like this one: The Belgian government in retaliation to imports of tuna cans (*i think it was that, if not something with a small packaging) decided to implement restictions that the text size had to...
  34. G

    News What is wrong with the US economy?

    Nothing! From the pen of First Trust Advisors Chief Economist, Brian Wesbury re: the 2006 economy: “…Many are also in denial about the underlying strength of the US economy. While some economic data has been weaker than expected, underneath the headlines, the economy remains robust...
  35. S

    Is Improving the Educational System the Key to Achieving a Perfect Economy?

    Can you guys think of an economy where everyone one will be happy? I can't.
  36. A

    News The Future of the US dollar and it's effect on the US economy

    This thread is to discuss the likely future trend for the value of the USD, it's continuing role as the world's major reserve currency and the likely impacts on the US economy. To kick it off here's a few interesting reads from the past few days...
  37. cronxeh

    News What can we learn from past economic collapses to prepare for the future?

    I wonder who will be the one who survives the collapse of the government and law n order once the Government debt reaches its tipping point? With raising national debt to both domestic and foreign entities, the US Government will start printing more money and the inflation will take place. As...
  38. Astronuc

    News US Economy - Greenspan Issues Warnings

    Greenspan Worries About Economic Health Friday August 26, 1:03 pm ET By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan Raises Concerns About Long-Term Health of U.S. Economy JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) -- Creeping trade protectionism and bloated budget deficits pose a...
  39. Ivan Seeking

    'Plastic oil' could improve fuel economy in cars

    http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/acs-oc061305.php
  40. S

    When Was Capitalism First Introduced to China? Stats on Labour Cost/Unit

    When was capitalism first introduced to communist china? I know that this was done by Deng in the 1970s, but i don't know when. Furthermore, can anyone find me a link that shows some type of statistic (preferably in chart or graph form) that displays China's low labour cost/unit relative...
  41. Andre

    In Search of Alternatives: Aviation Fuel for a Durable Economy

    In another thread we talked about converting to a durable economy that is not dependent on fossil fuel. Now flexibility on energy and mobility seem to be inverse proportional. In static plants you can use anything that's available. Cars are more limited although there is still a range of...
  42. Ivan Seeking

    Fascinating Stories of Lichman, Joe Economy, Harry Dong and Short Electric Co.

    All true... A gynecologist named Lichman A Financial manager named Joe Economy Harry Dong. His parents immigrated from China after WWII. They idolized President Harry Truman Short Electric Company.
  43. Ivan Seeking

    News How Will Economic Policies and Nuclear Power Shape the Next U.S. Election?

    The war over the war is over. It's the economy stupid!
  44. A

    The necessity of a token economy in terms of social progress

    I'd just like some opinions please. We generally moved from barter to token economies employing physical tokens - coins and such. However, it's entirely possible that we may do away with physical tokens entirely, and rely completely of units of data as tokens in a global computer network...
  45. Ivan Seeking

    Questions about a Hydrogen Economy; Scientific American

    I wanted to point out a great article about our up and coming Hydrogen Economy. This article comes from the May 2004 issue of SciAm and it gives nice snapshot of the state-of-the-art. Not available for free AFAIK, here is an internet link and brief...
  46. J

    John Kerry - for a Rapid switch to Solar-Hydrogen Economy

    John Kerry has been very open about his stance that the gvt should sponsor a Manhattan Project type rapid shift away from traditional energy sources and to clean ones. I do not know what his position is on nuclear technology though. There are many people who favour a shift to a...
  47. B

    News The Truth About Gold as Money and the Flaws of Fiat Currency

    Do you think a gold standard economy is better? This is why I think it is better The following section is a series of revised quotes taken form a book called The creature from Jekyll Island, by G. Edward Griffin. THE MISLEADING THEORY OF QUANTITY It often is argued...
  48. Ivan Seeking

    A Hydrogen economy: Be a part of the change

    I am posting this here in order to draw the attention of physics students, as well as other science and engineering students, to the upcoming change in our supply of energy. The National Hydrogen Association wants help from people like you. Please consider this a potential career option...
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