Közgazdaságtana

Közgazdaságtana, often translated as economics, is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make choices about allocating scarce resources. The fundamental problem in economics is scarcity, meaning that limited resources are available to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.

Economics is broadly divided into two main branches: microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics focuses on the behavior of individual economic agents, such as households and firms, and their decisions regarding prices, supply, and demand. Macroeconomics, on the other hand, examines the economy as a whole, looking at aggregate measures like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.

Key concepts within economics include supply and demand, which determine the prices and quantities of goods and services traded in markets. Incentives play a crucial role, as individuals and firms respond to changes in costs and benefits. Economic systems, such as capitalism, socialism, and mixed economies, represent different ways societies organize their economic activities. Economists use models and theories to understand and predict economic phenomena, often employing mathematical and statistical tools. The ultimate goal of economic study is to improve understanding of how economies function and to inform policies that promote prosperity and well-being.