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What is Economics?
There is no precise definition of economics, in fact there has been a great deal of controversy among
economists about nature and scope of economics.
In general terms, economics may be defined as the study of how man allocates the scarce resources in
order to satisfy his unlimited wants. Therefore, economics centres on the problem of how best man
can make effective use of the available resources and distribute the output amongst different
economic activities.
Various people overtime have tried to define economics although the different consideration, these
definitions include.
1. The early definition. According to this, economics was defined as an art of house hold
management.
2. Definition of the classicals. These may include Adam smith (1723-1790). He defines economics as
the art of managing resources of people and those of government.
3. John Stuart Mill. He defines economics as the practical science of production and distribution of
wealth.
4. Definition of Neo-classicals. These were led by marshal and define economics as the study of
mankind in ordinary business of life.
5. The modern definition of economics (scarcity definition of economics). This is the modern and
generally acceptable definition of economics and was stated by Lord Robin. It states that
“Economics is a science which studies the relationship between ends and the scare means which
have alternative uses” i.e. it is a social science which studies how best man can allocate scare
resources so that he can satisfy his unlimited wants. From Robin‟s definition, the following can be
observed.
1. Ends of human wants to which resources put are various or unlimited.
2. Material means of achieving these ends limited i.e. means of production available (land, labour and
capital) to society for satisfying wants of its people are limited.
WEALTH
What is wealth?
Wealth is a stock of goods existing at given time which is scarce, possesses utility, has an exchange
value and the ownership is transferable.
It therefore has the following features/characteristics(only 4)
1. It must be scarce i.e. It should be limited in supply and not easily got.
2. Should possess utility in that it must be able to satisfy human needs.
3. It must have an exchange value/price
4. Ownership should be transferable from one individual owner to another e.g. cars, T.Vs, personal
houses.
Forms of wealth
1. Personal wealth/private wealth. This consists of personal wealth and other forms of stock that
satisfy the individual owner e.g. TVs, personal horses etc.
2. Business wealth. This consists of the amount owned by a firm(s) basically to make
economic/commercial profit. This consists of premises, plants, business stock etc.
3. Social wealth/Public wealth. This is also referred to as public or collective wealth
It consists of resources that are owned by the state/government and are meant for the good of all
citizens e.g. roads, dams etc.
TO REMEMBER
Forms/
classes
/types
Personal wealth
Social wealth
Business wealth
Why do we study economics?
1. To further our academic and professional studies.
2. *To know what takes place in the business world.
3. To encourage effective participation in the process of development of the economy.
4. *To know how scarce resources can be put to better use.
5. *To understand basic economic concepts and principles so as to acquire basic skills that will help
one to be prepared to face challenges.
Macroeconomics
• This is the study of the economy in aggregate or as a whole i.e. it is concerned with those
variables or aggregates that affect the economy or nation as a whole- The variables include among
others: -
WANTS. These are the desires or needs of man. They are categorized into material and immaterial
wants. Material wants are satisfied by tangible goods i.e. those that can be seen e.g. shoes, cars,
sugar, trousers etc. whereas immaterial wants are those satisfied by intangible goods like
entertainment, professional services e.g. teaching.
Wants are material or immaterial human desires.
Categories of wants
A. Material human desires- are tangible goods/goods an individual requires for direct use
B. Immaterial Human desires-are intangible goods/goods an individual requires for indirect use
C. RESOURCES. These are called factors of production. They include natural man made and human
resources i.e. they involve what is required to produce goods and services to satisfy human needs.
Resources are factors used in the production of goods
They are classified as natural,man made and human resouces
D. COMMODITIES. These refer to things that are produced by factors of production and are
consumed by man to satisfy his needs/wants.
Commodities are goods produced using resources and are consumed by man to satisfy his needs or
wants.
E. Goods. These are tangible things which satisfy human wants.
TYPES OF GOODS
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1. Free goods. These are commodities which exist in natural abundance and are enough for
everyone to consume as much as they want at zero cost e.g. Air, sunshine, rainfall.
2. Economic goods: An economic good is that which is scarce in relation to its demand and the
consumption involves cost i.e. consumers pay for it and it commands a price in the market. An
economic good therefore has the following features/characteristics.
1. It is scarce i.e. limited in supply
2. It has value i.e. obtainable by paying a price.
3. It has utility i.e. it must provide satisfaction to the consumer
3. Private goods: A private good is a commodity or service which provides satisfaction or benefit to
an individual who owns/pays for it. It is excludable in that the consumption by one/consumer
prevents consumption by other consumers e.g. cars, clothes.
4. Public goods: A public good is that which when provided for a particular group or individual
becomes available for others to use at zero/no extra cost and the consumption by one person does
not reduce the amount available for others to use e.g. defence, roads, street lights.
5. Merit goods: They are those goods consumption of which is deemed intrinsically desirable (are of
high social value) and are meant to improve the quality of life of the people e.g. safe water, medical
health care, education.
6. Intermediated goods: These are goods supplied by one firm to another or those available but still
have to go through the production process i.e. they are not ready for human consumption.
7. Final goods: These are goods that have successfully gone through the production process and are
ready for human consumption or use e.g. shoes, bread etc.
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8. Demerit goods: These are commodities which when consumed are harmful to the lives of the
consumers.
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS
Principles of Economics explain the fundamental economic problems of man and these are: scarcity,
choice and opportunity cost/real cost.
People are always in need to satisfy their needs but resources to satisfy them are not enough/scarce
and because they are not enough, human beings have to select form the available alternatives in
order to satisfy their unlimited wants. However selecting means foregoing something else or
opportunity cost.
(a) Scarcity. This is the limitation in supply in relation to demand . All things are in short supply
relative to people‟s desires for them, people‟s wants are many but the resources for making all
the things they need themselves are limited in supply, because of scarcity in relation to unlimited
wants, choice becomes essential.
(b) Choice: This is the preferential determination between ends. Or
It is the taking of the right decision/alternative from existing set of possibilities for the best satisfaction
of individuals or social interest. If all things are scarce relative to the desire for them and if people have
many unsatisfied wants and the means exist for satisfying only a few of these wants, it is obvious they
can‟t satisfy all of them. Therefore they must make a choice. The problem of scarcity and choice leads
us to yet another concept i.e. the concept of opportunity cost/real cost.
(c) Opportunity cost/real cost. Opportunity cost is the second best alternative foregone when a
production or consumption decision is made.
It is also referred to as real cost. Since resources are limited, it implies that the production of one
commodity involves not producing, something else and going by the same logic the consumption of
one product means going without others.
Food
3
F a D
(kgs) F
2
0 C1 C2 C3 cloth (m)
The graph above shows that the country can produce OF, kgs of food or OC3 metres of cloth or
various combinations of food and cloth.
The PPF curve may also show the following economic concepts.
1. Scarcity and Choice: Resources are scarce and the country cannot produce beyond its PPF using
fixed resources e.g. In the graph to produce extra cloth, C 1 C2 more metres of cloth you reduce the
production of food by F2 F3, the reverse is true for producing more of food hence, the need to
choose between the choice can be shown where if OF, of food is produced, cloth will not be
produced.
Therefore there is need to make a choice about which amount of food and cloth to produce.
2. Opportunity cost: This is illustrated by the movement along the PPF curve e.g. from a-b, to
produce C1C2 more metres of cloth, you forego F 2 –F1 kgs of food. Therefore the opportunity cost of
producing C1 C2 metres of cloth is F2 F1kgs of food.
3. Efficiency in production: Points F3, a, b and C3 show efficient utilization of resources C shows
inefficiency as there is still room for improvement while point D is not attainable using the
available resources.
SHIFT OF THE PPF CURVE
Food
1 PPF PPF2
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Cloth
The shift of the curve from PPF1,-PP2 indicates an increase in output (economic growth). The causes of
the shift outwards are.
1. Increase in size of the labour force.
2. Increased workers efficiency or skills and this could be through training.
3. Improvement in technology.
4. Discovery of new natural resources.
5. Increase in capital inflow. This could be through foreign aid/direct foreign investments/grants etc.
6. Improved entrepreneurial abilities.
Faced with the problem of scarcity, every society must find ways of rationing the available resources
among the people who want them. In order to do this there are 5 fundamental questions that must be
answered and these are:-
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 10
1. What to produce using available resources. Due to scarcity of resources which are regarded to
be at hand at any given period of time, the decision of what to produce induces a lot of sacrifice
i.e. whether to produce consumer good or capital goods etc.
2. How to produce decision: Having decided what to produce, then society must decide how its
resources are to be combined to produce these goods and services i.e. the technique to use in
production. Whether to use labour or capital intensive techniques.
3. When to produce decision. The simplest question societies have to answer is choice of whether
production should be for present consumption or whether to delay production so as to have
more goods and services in future.
4. Where to produce. This involves deciding where to locate production units or firms, whether to
locate them near the market, raw materials, transport routes etc.
5. For whom to produce. Society must make decision about who must consume the goods and
services produced e.g. the rich or poor, urban or rural consumers.
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
An economic system is defined as a system of ownership and allocation of resources of a country so as
to achieve major developmental goods. In an economic system, the what, how, where, and for whom
to produce as well as choices are made differently in societies in different ways Basing on this the
major economic systems are:-
1. The free enterprise/market/capitalistic economy.
2. The command/centrally planned economy.
3. The mixed economy.
Characteristics/features
1. There is existence of planning by the central planning authority.
2. There are no private investors since all investments are publically undertaken.
3. Production is for use rather than for profits since emphasis is on welfare and not commercial gains.
4. Decisions pertaining economic activities are handled by the central planning authority.
5. Economic or productive resources are publically owned.
6. There is limited competition.
Disadvantages
1. May officials are required to estimate and to direct factors of production accordingly and this
results into high costs of administration.
2. There is Bureaucracy usually associated with the system that leads to delay in production and
planning
3. There is inefficiency in production due to absence of competition in production.
4. Limited variety of goods is produced as government‟s interest is producing necessities of life.
5. Quality of final goods and services is rather low due to work to lack of competition.
6. The system is disincentive to produce or individual Initiative.
The mixed Economy system is one where both private individuals and government own resources and
the allocation of these resources is by both the market forces (demand and supply) and central
authority.
It is system that has the features of both free enterprise and planned economy.
Advantages
1. There are limited social evils such as exploitation and unfair distribution of wealth.
2. There is limited wastage due to regulated competition.
3. Wide variety of goods is produced.
4. High level of employment of resources and labour exists.
5. There is increased rate of efficiency in production due to competition and planning.
PRICE THEORY
This chapter is concerned with the study of prices and is regarded as the basis of Economic theory. In
this chapter we look at different concepts which relate to prices, their determinants and uses of prices
in different fields of economics.
PRICE
This is the exchange value of a commodity in terms of money . It is the amount of money that has to
be paid for a specific quantity of a commodity or,
It is the amount of money that will purchase a definite weight/measure of a commodity. Prices may be
classified as; equilibrium price, market price, normal price/ideal price and reserve price.
1. Normal/ideal price: This is the price that regulates the flow of production and consumption so
that they stand at equilibrium position in the long run.
D S
S
D
Price
E
Pe
Qe Quantity
Pe is the equilibrium price and Qe is the equilibrium quantity.
4. Reserve price: This is the minimum price below which the seller is not able to offer his
commodity for sale in the market. It is determined by the following factors.
There are several ways through which the price in a market will be determined.
1. Haggling/Bargaining: This is involves the buyer and a seller negotiating to reach an agreeable
price.
2. Auctioning: This is when a seller offers goods to the market for bids and the highest bidder takes
the commodity (one who offers the highest price). This is very common in sale of vehicles or in
fundraising.
3. Government fixed prices/price legislation: The government can fix the price of some commodities
in form of minimum and maximum prices.
4. Sales through treaties/agreements: The market price may be set say by the formation of the cartel
e.g. (OPEC) or a commodity agreement e.g. the international coffee agreement.
5. Forces of demand and supply: The interaction of the forces of demand and supply sets the price
(equilibrium price).
6. Offers at fixed prices: This is involves the producer or seller setting the price that is not negotiable.
This is mainly by monopolists who unless interrupted by the government have the sole authority to
manipulate market price to the disfavour of the public.
TYPES OF MARKETS
1. Product markets: These are markets in which a good or service for the consumers is bought and
sold.
2. Resource markets/factor markets: These are market in which production resources especially
labour and capital are bought and sold.
3. Spot market: This is a market where a commodity/ currency are traded for immediate delivery.
4. Forward/ Future market: This is the market where buyers and sellers make a contract to buy / sell
commodities at a fixed date at the price agreed in the contact.
5. Free market: This is a market where there is no government intervention.
6. Controlled markets: This is a market controlled by the government.
7. Perfect market: This refers to the market where none of the buyers/sellers has the power to
influence price in the market by either influencing demand or supply.
Effective demand
This is the actual buying/purchasing of the commodity at a given price.
Or
When considering the effect of one factor on quantity demanded we assume other factors are
constant (ceteris paribus). The determinants of quantity demanded of a commodity are:
1. The price level of the commodity: The higher the price the lower the demand for a given
commodity(s). This is because the commodity is expensive and people leave them and by
substitutes. A decline in price/lower prices increase the quantity demanded of commodity
because it is cheaper than the substitutes.
2. Price of substitute goods: This is where two commodities are used to satisfy the same demand
e.g. beans and G.nuts. The higher the price of a substitute the higher the demand for a
commodity in question because it is cheaper while a fall in price of a substitute the lower the
demand for the commodity in question since is more affordable.
3. Complements: These are commodities that are jointly demanded e.g. cars and petrol, guns and
bullets, sugar and coffee. The increase in one commodity like guns increases quantity
demanded of other commodities (bullets) because they are jointly while a fall in the demand for
a complement causes an increase in demand.
4. Level of income of a consumer: The rise in income of a consumer leads to an increase in quantity
demanded because of the increase in the purchasing power while low income causes low
demand because of the low purchasing power. This is only in case of normal goods such as cars,
shoes etc.
For inferior goods as the consumer‟s income increases, quantity demanded falls because the
consumer takes the commodity to be cheap for him or her and shifts to expensive ones which
he takes to be of high value such include sweet potatoes, beans.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 19
For necessity goods even if income increases, quantity demanded cannot increase after a
certain level of income e.g. demanded for sugar, soap etc.
5. Expectation of changes in prices in future. When consumers expect prices to rise in future, they
purchase more commodities and stock them which causes high demand for commodities in the
short run. When prices are expected to fall in future, consumers purchase less now and more in
future since the purchasing is high in future.
6. Tastes and preferences of the commodity: favourable tastes cause high demand for
commodities because there are more buyers of a given commodity and when the tastes are
unfavourable there is low demand for a commodity because there are fewer people purchasing
a commodity.
7. Distribution of Income: A fair distribution of income in an economy increases demand for goods
and services in an economy because majority of the population are capable of purchasing
goods and services and unfair distribution of income is concentrated in the hands of few
people.
8. Effect of advertising: A high level of advertising increases people‟s awareness about the
presence and availability of the commodity and when persuasive advertising is used, people are
lured to purchase goods and services hence a high level of demand .Poor advertising therefore
is associated with low demand because of consumers‟ ignorance.
9. Seasonal changes: A favourable change in the season causes a high demand because there are
more consumers while an unfavourable change causes low level of demand because there are
few consumers. e.g. success cards are normally demanded during times of exams, gum boots
and umbrellas during rainy season demand falls when the season comes to an end.
10. Size of the population: A big population size other factors being constant offers a bigger level of
demand because there are more consumers and a small population size causes low demand
because there are few consumers.
11. Government policy on taxation and subsidization: High direct taxes cause a low level of demand
because they reduce disposable income and therefore cause a low purchasing power while low
1. Functional demand: This is demand for a commodity for one‟s own use e.g. buying sugar for one‟s
consumption.
2. Impulse buying: Some people buy on impulse or because they have seen a commodity e.g. a
hawker passing around and one gets the idea of buying a commodity.
3. Speculative demand: Some people hope to make capital gains or other benefits by buying a given
commodity and selling it in future at a profit.
4. Snob effect: This is conspicuous consumption i.e. the desire to impress the public by one‟s ability
to consume expensive items.
5. Veblen effect (exclusivity): Some people demand for goods for being exclusive. Quantity
demanded will fall when other people buy that similar good.
6. Band wagon effect: This is demand for a good to look like others. Here people demand for goods
because they have seen others consuming them. It is common in fashions, models etc.
This is a table showing quantities demanded for a commodity at different alternative prices per period
of time. It is as illustrated below.
It is a locus of points showing quantity demanded of a commodity at various prices per period of time,
it is drawn basing on the assumption (The law of demand) that, “Holding all the other factors
constant, the higher the price, the lower the quantity demanded and the lower the price the higher the
quantity demanded.
The demand curve can be derived from the above demand schedule as shown below.
Price (shs) D
15
10
15 25 40 Quantity (kgs)
Why the demand curve is down ward sloping (Why it has a negative slope)
1. It obeys the law of diminishing marginal utility: The demand curve is down ward sloping
because it obeys the law of diminishing marginal utility which states that as one consumes more
of a commodity at a certain point, the satisfaction derived from additional units diminishes or
Shifts in Demand
P2 b
Increase in quantity demanded
P3 c
Q1 Q2 Q3 Quantity (kgs)
Note: Decrease in price from P1 to P2 brings about increase in quantity demanded from Q1 to Q2.
Change in demand
A change in demand refers to when at constant price more/less of a commodity is purchased brought
about the other factors that affect demand becoming more favourable or unfavourable. It involves the
movement of the entire demand curve to the left or to the right as illustrated below.
D1
Price(shs) Do
D2
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 24
P0
D1
D0
D2
Q2 Qo Q1 Quantity (kgs)
From the above illustration, movement from Do to D2 represents a decrease in demand from Qo to
Q2 and movement from Do to D1 represents increase in demand from Qo to Q1
Demand for a commodity may increase or decrease at constant price due to the following:-
Causes of change in demand
1. Changes in the consumer‟s disposable income. An increase in the income of the consumer
increases demand for the commodity because of the rise in the purchasing power of the
consumer while a fall in the consumer‟s income causes a decline in demand because the
purchasing power falls and as such fewer commodities are purchased.
2. Changes in tastes and preferences of the consumer. An improvement in tastes and preferences
causes an increase in demand because of the increase in the number of people who are willing
to purchase the commodity while a decline in the tastes and preferences causes a decrease in
demand because of the fall in the number of people who are willing to purchase the
commodity.
3. Changes in the prices of substitutes of a product. An increase in the price of a substitute for a
given commodity causes an increase in the demand for the commodity in question because
consumers leave the commodity whose price has increased and purchase that commodity
whose price has remained constant since they serve the same purpose. A decline in the price of
a substitute commodity causes a decline in the demand for the commodity in question because
consumers leave this commodity and by the commodity whose price has fallen because it is
now cheaper.
These are demand curves which violet the law of demand i.e. they do not take the shape of a
downward sloping demand curve are:-
1. Demand for goods/articles of ostentation: These are luxuries which are demanded by the rich to
emphasize their status and as such, as their prices increase, the rich buy more of them e.g.
luxurious cars, ear rings, necklaces etc.
The demand curve for articles of Ostentation is abnormal at high price levels as illustrated below.
Price D
P2
P1
P0 x
Q3 Q1 Q2 Quantity
Price D
P3
P2 x
P1
Q3 Q1 Q2 Quantity
In the illustration above the demand curve is abnormal at low price levels, below P 1 as the price
falls, quantity demanded also falls.
4. When the fall in price is associated with the fall in quality of the product. Quantity demanded may
not increase thus giving an abnormal demand curve at low piece levels. It resembles that of a giffen
good.
5. Period of economic depression: In periods of economic depression characterized by low level of
income, low levels of employment, low levels of investment etc., and quantity demanded does not
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 28
increase even when the prices are low. The demand curve during this period is similar to that of the
demand curve for giffen goods.
Inter-related demand is a situation where demand for one commodity affects demand for another
commodity positively or negatively or not affecting it all. It includes:-
1. Joint or complementary demand: This refers to the demand for commodities which are used
together such that increase in demand for one of them increases the demand for the other e.g. cars
and petrol, guns and bullets, paint and bushes etc.
2. Competitive demand: It refers to the demand for commodities which serve the same purpose such
that increase in demand for one of them reduces the demand for the other e.g. coffee and tea,
G.nuts and peas.
3. Derived demand: This refers to the demand for a commodity/good due to the demand for what it
helps to produce. E.g. demand for factors of production is derived from or depends on demand for
commodities which such factors of production are used to make.
4. Composite demand: This is the total demand for a commodity with many uses e.g. electricity used
for cooking, ironing, lighting etc.
ELASTICITY OF DEMAND
Or
PED = DQ X P1
DP Q1
The price of meat change from 3,500/= to 5,000/= and caused a change in quantity demanded from
50kg to 30kg per week. Calculate the price elasticity of demand. Solution
NOTE: The negative sign in the above formula shows the negative slope of the demand curve. The
value of price elasticity of demand co-efficient ranges from O to infinity. The bigger the elasticity co-
efficient, the greater the degree of elasticity.
Price elasticity co-efficient is described according to the answer you get, using the above formula of
calculating it and it ranges from Zero(0) to infinity.
Example
A price of a kg of maize increased from 1000/= to 1200/= per kilo and caused a decline in quantity
demanded from 2700 tons to 1900 tons. Calculate
(i) The price elasticity of demand
(ii) What is the type of elasticity for the above commodity?
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 30
TYPES OF ELASTICITY
Perfectly/completely inelastic.
This is when PED is 0. This means that quantity demanded does not respond to changes in price at all
as illustrated below.
Price D
P1
P0
0 Qo Quantity
Change in price from OP 0 to 0P1 leaves quantity demanded or Q 0 unaffected e.g. demand for
cigarettes/alcohol.
D
P1
P2
0 Q1 Q2 Quantity
Change in price P1 P2 is greater than change in quantity demanded Q1 Q2.
Elastic demand: This is when elasticity of demand is greater than 1(one) but less than infinity i.e.
percentage change in quantity demanded is greater than percentage change in price as illustrated
below.
0 Q1 Q2 Quantity
Change in price from P1 to P2 leads to a proportional greater change in quantity demanded from Q 1 to
Q2.
Unitary demand (PED =1): This is when price elasticity of demand is equal to 1 (one) in other wards
quantity demanded changes exactly by the same percentage as does the price as illustrated below.
0 Q1 Q2 Quantity
Perfectly elastic demand: This is when price elasticity of demand is equal to infinity meaning that at
constant price consumers are willing to purchase and none at all even at a slightly higher price as
illustrated below.
Price
P0 D
This is the measure of the responsiveness of quantity demanded of a commodity to change in the
price of another commodity. I.e. it is the responsiveness in demand for a product to the proportionate
change in the price of another commodity.
It is given by the formula;
Cross elasticity of demand = Percentage change in quantity demanded of a commodity (X)
Percentage change in price of commodity (Y)
= ∆Qx . Py
∆Py Qx
Example:
The price of commodity (A) increased from 20,000/= to 25,000/= and caused a decline in demand for
a commodity (B) from 30 to 15 units a week.
• Calculate the cross of elasticity of demand.
• What is the relationship between the two commodities
= 15 x 20,000
5,000 30
= -1 x 2
= -2
Therefore the commodities are complements Reasons:
(a) The increase in prices of A decreases the demand for commodity B (b) The co-
efficient is negative.
SUPPLY
This refers to the amount of a commodity suppliers or producers are willing to offer to the market at
alternative prices per period of time holding all the other factors constant i.e. supply of a commodity is
Supply Schedule
This is a table showing the amounts of a commodity offered for sale at alternative prices per period of
time. It is drawn on the assumption, “The higher the price the higher quantity supplied and the lower
the price, the lower the quantity supplied holding all the other factors constant as illustrated below.
Price (shs) Quantity
(kgs)
100 50
150 100
250 500
From this illustration, it can be seen that as the price increases, quantity supplied also increases.
Price(shs) S
250
100
1. The price of the commodity: Other factors being constant, more of a commodity is supplied at a
higher price because the producer realises a high level of profit and less is supplied at a lower price
because it leads to low profits.
2. Cost of production: A high cost of production causes low supply because it becomes expensive to
produce and low profits are realised while a low cost of production cause low supply of goods
because it is cheap to produce and more profits are realised.
3. Availability of inputs/factors of production: The more available and cheaper the inputs are, the
greater the supply of commodities because of a low cost of production since profits are high and
when the inputs are scarce the cost of production is high and this causes low supply and low
profits.
4. Level of technology: Adoption/use of better production methods has an effect of reducing the cost
of production and therefore increasing supply of goods due to an improvement in efficiency in
production. Poor techniques of production cause a high cost of production due to inefficiency in
production and therefore there is low supply.
ELASTICITY OF SUPPLY
Elasticity of supply refers to the measure of responsiveness 0f quantity supplied to a change in the
factors that affect supply.
This refers to the responsiveness of quantity supplied of a commodity to a change in the price of a
commodity. The co-efficient of elasticity of supply is given by the formula:- PES = Percentage change
in quantity supplied
Percentage change in price
= ∆Qs ÷ ∆P
Qs P1
= ∆Qs x P1
Qs ∆P
= ∆Qs . P1
∆P Qs
Price
S
P2
P1
S
Q1 Q2 Quantity
This is where the co-efficient is greater than one but less than infinity i.e. percentage change in
quantity supplied is greater than percentage change in price. Quantity supplied changes by a bigger
proportion for a smaller change in price.
P2
P1
Q1 Quantity
This is where elasticity of supply is zero meaning that quantity supplied does not respond to changes
in price.
Unitary Supply
S
Price
P2
P1
S
Q1 Q2 Quantity
Change in price P1-P2 is equal to change in quantity Q1 – Q2
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 45
The elasticity co-efficient is equal one. In this type percentage change in quantity supplied is equal to
percentage change in price.
Inelastic supply
S
Price
P2
P1
Q1 Q2 Quantity
Elasticity co-efficient is greater than zero but less than one. Here the proportionate change in quantity
supplied is less than the proportionate change in price i.e. quantity supplied responds less for a
greater change in price. I.e. change in price P 1 – P2 is greater than change in quantity demanded Q 1 –
Q2.
1. Perfectly elastic Supply
P1 S
0
Q1 Q2 Quantity
INTERRELATED SUPPLY
The various forms of interrelated supply are the following;
1. Joint/complementary supply: This is the supply of those goods which have common procedure of
production such that an increase in the supply of one automatically leads to an increase in the
supply of the other. The goods originate from the same source and their supply is increased
simultaneously e.g. wool and mutton, meat, hides and skins, cotton and cotton seeds etc.
2. Composite supply: This refers to total quantity or supply of goods that are substitutes to one
another e.g. mutton, beef and chicken or supply of tea, coffee and cocoa.
W3
W2 X
W1
In the illustration the supply curve is initially sloping but after point X (wage W 2) labourers work for
less hours i.e. as the wage increases to W3 hours worked reduce to L3. This can be attributed to:
1. Preference for leisure: i.e. for some employees as the wage rate increases after a certain point, they
reduce on the number of hours to work to have some leisure time.
2. The issue of target workers: These are people who work to fulfill targets and once fulfilled they
reduce on the hours of work.
3. Cultural and political factors or discrimination in the labour market.
4. Deterioration in the real wage due to inflation. 5. Old age-when one has reached retirement age
6. Substitutability of labour by machine.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 49
7. The rate of taxation.
P2 X
P1
Q1 Q2 Q3 Quantity
This is illustrated with a curve that is normal for the 1 st few units produced up to a given point after
which it becomes perfectly inelastic as illustrated above. After point X an increase in price from P 2 to P3
leaves quantity supplied Q2 the same. This situation may arise due to the following.
3. FIXED SUPPLY
E.g. supply of land, supply of money in an economy, in this situation the supply of goods cannot
increase whatever the price offered e.g. supply of land, the curve is illustrated below.
P2
P1
0 Q1 Quantity
In the above illustration supply cannot increase due to the inability to change other factors eg land the
same situation applies to the supply of agricultural commodities in the short run because of the long
gestation period.
CHANGE IN SUPPLY
This shows an increase or decrease in the amount offered to the market for sale at constant price
brought about by changes in other factors that affect quantity supplied rather than price. It is
illustrated as follows.
Quantity
Q1 Q0 Q2
An increase in supply is shown by shift in the supply curve from S 0 to S2 where quantity supplied
increases from Q0 to Q2. The decrease in supply is shown by shift of supply curve from S 0 to S1 where
quantity supplied reduces from Q0 to Q1.
Price
S
P2
P1
0 Q1 Q2 Quantity
Increase in price from P1 to P2 increases quantity supplied from Q1 to Q2. Reduction in price from P2 to
P1 would cause reduction in quantity supplied from Q2to Q1.
It is a system under which all economic decisions are made in view of prices of commodities and prices
of other factors of production. It works best in a free market economy where the private sector s
dominant and as long as it operates, some assumptions are made.
Question:
(a) What is the role of price mechanism in an economy?
(b) Discuss the Merits and Demerits of price mechanism in an economy.
Question: What measures have been used to regulate demerits of price mechanism in your country?
1. Used taxation: Firms are haven been taxed e.g. use of corporate taxes on profits of companies to
reduce their capacity to expand and influence the market.
2. Government has Subsidised firms and Consumers: this has enable low income earners afford some
goods.
3. Licensed producers or exploiters of certain resources to minimize the rate of exploitation.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 58
4. Banned production and consumption of some demerit goods.
5. Encouraged formation of consumers association or educating consumers. This has helped
consumers fight exploitation by consumers.
6. Government has set up institutions to regulate economic activities or bureau of standards.
7. Enacted laws bodies to protect the environment e.g. [NEMA].
8. Provided emergence relief or provided for disasters. This has helped those in needed get goods
and services for their survival.
9. Government has provided merit and public goods.
1. Divergence between planned and actual output: For the case of agriculture, planned output is
never equal to actual output. When actual output is greater than planned output, there is excess
supply and this causes fall in prices. When output is less than planned output, there is shortage and
hence increase in prices. Manufactured commodities are not affected by natural factors and
therefore output is stable as well as the prices.
2. Long gestation period: Agricultural products take long to produce such that during periods when
prices are high, producers plan to produce more and when this output is supplied it exceeds
demand and therefore there is a reduction in prices. Manufactured goods are easier to store and
therefore when there is an increase in demand producers simply draw from stores and supply and
hence stable prices.
3. Perishability of agriculture products: Agricultural products cannot be kept for long so even though
the product is the good one. One has to dispose it quickly even or sometimes at a much lower
price. Industrial output can be kept until favourable prices are offered.
4. The demand for agricultural products is price Inelastic: Demand for food stuff is inelastic so that
whether prices increase or decrease consumers demand almost the same quantities. This is
1. Fluctuations in terms of trade; as prices go up, the terms of trade improve and as the prices fall,
the terms of trade worsen.
5. Price fluctuations result into fluctuations in government revenue. Government receives most of
the revenue from tax income earned and therefore fall in prices leads to fall in income earned by
farmers thus a fall in tax revenue. On the other hand, increase in prices leads to increase in tax
revenue of the government since farmers realise an increase in income which government taxes.
6. Government planning based on expected earnings from the primary sector becomes difficult.
This is because as prices change, government can never be sure of the revenue to be earned in
any one given period. This distorts the planning process.
7. There is unstable inflow of foreign exchange from export commodities.
Fluctuations of prices of major export crops lead to instability in export earnings i.e., they rise
with increase in prices and fall with a decline in prices.
8. It breeds/causes speculations and irrational use of land i.e. farmers increase the use of land in
periods of high prices since they earn higher incomes and use less of it during periods of low
prices because they earn less income. This results into irrational allocation of resources and
production without planning thus wastage.
9. Government planning based on expected earnings from the primary sector becomes difficult.
This is because as prices change, government can never be sure of the revenue to be earned in
any one given product. This destroys the planning process.
13. Investment in agriculture is discouraged since farmers cannot predict earnings from the sector.
QN: Suggest measures that should be taken to minimize fluctuation of prices of agriculture
products in developing countries.
1. Use of price control. This is in form of minimum price legislation where the government fixes
the prices for agriculture commodities above the equilibrium price making it illegal for any
buyer to purchase the commodities from the farmers at any price below that set.
2. Improving upon infrastructure. There is need to develop quick and efficient transport systems.
Better transport systems help to dispose surplus hence a reduction in instability of prices.
3. Use of buffer stock arrangement. This is where the government through marketing boards buys
surplus or excess produce from farmers during harvesting or in periods of plenty, stores it and
5. Modernization of agriculture. This is done to produce better quality products and reduce its
dependence on nature. This can be achieved through use of irrigation, introducing better
varieties etc.
6. Undertaking intensive industrialization programs within agriculture. In order to add value to
agriculture products, a simple industrial plant should be set up or fully processed agriculture
products before selling them off. Such commodities fetch higher pieces and are durable.
7. Adoption of strict quota systems. In this case, different producers are assigned to the amount
of the commodity that they should put on the market to avoid market flooding and falling of
prices.
8. Undertaking market expansion and diversification to reduce dependence on few traditional
markets. This helps to dispose-off the surplus output.
- Encouraging diversification of the agriculture sector. This is reducing reliance on few products
and thus enabling farmers have alternative sources of income. - Strengthening agro-commodity
agreements.
- Finding new markets for the agricultural products or diversification of the market.
- Undertaking proper planning of agriculture sector. This is reducing reliance on nature that
causes poor harvest in some cases.
- Encouraging contract farming. This is helping to assure the farmers of market for their produce
and fair prices for their produce.
- Improving on transport system or infrastructure improving storage facilities. This making
accessibility to the market easy and thus helping farmers to dispose-off their produce.
Price legislation involves interfering with the forces of demand and supply by the government
to set prices of goods and services.
This may be in form of minimum and maximum prices. Therefor price controls are of two major
forms;
Minimum price legislation is the process where the government fixes the price of a commodity
above the equilibrium price below which it is illegal to buy or sell a product/commodity.
Minimum price is usually for agriculture commodities for the benefit of firms or producers of
those commodities. It is as illustrated below.
Question: Outline any four reasons for government fixing minimum price.
4. To control price fluctuations and therefore make an economy attain price stability.
5. To offset economic depression/recession. Minimum prices tend to activate investment or
production in an economy.
6. To discourage consumption of certain commodities i.e. those that are considered to be harmful
to people‟s health.
Positive effects/advantages
1. It reduces the fluctuation in prices of agriculture commodities. Since the buyers are supposed to
pay the price fixed by government irrespective of any changes in demand.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 69
2. It reduces exploitation of producers or firms by the buyers who usually pay them lower prices.
3. It leads to an increase in production of agriculture commodities since farmers are encouraged
by high profits realized.
4. It reduces income inequality between producers of agriculture products, people employed in
other sectors of the economy e.g. industrial sector as the farmers are able to get stable incomes
due to the stable price fixed.
5. It increases aggregate demand or purchasing power of the producers and discourages
investment in production to satisfy the demands of the producers.
6. Earnings of primary producers increase and this results into increase in investment in the
agriculture sector i.e. the incomes of the producers are established due to the fact that
fluctuations in prices of agricultural commodities are reduced.
7. It leads an economy out of depression or recession. As the demand increases, investment
increases, profits increase, employment increases etc.
8. Labour strikes or unrests are reduced. This is the case with minimum wage. This is because a
fairly satisfactory wage is given.
9. Effort and initiative (handwork) at work are encouraged hence increased participation in
productive activities.
10. Excess capacity is reduced as some resources are put to use.
1. It results into surplus output because of excess production and this may result into unnecessary
waste of commodities.
2. It is very expensive for the government. The government has to purchase the surplus output
from the market so that the price does not fall because of the surplus output (price support).
Price support is where the government buys surplus output on the market arising from the
fixing of the minimum price. This policy is used with an aim of supporting or holding the
minimum price legislated by the government.
3. Problems of storage arise more especially in developed countries where there are forced
storage facilities.
4. It encourages price increase and hence inflation tendencies arise. This causes high cost of living
in the economy.
5. Consumption reduces as many people find it difficult to afford goods whose prices have been
legislated.
6. It leads to an increase in the cost of production where the commodities for which the minimum
prices have been fixed are inputs in the production of other goods.
This is a process whereby the government fixes the price of a commodity below the equilibrium price
and it is illegal to sell or buy above this price. It is basically meant to protect consumers. It is also called
price ceiling.
NB: A maximum price is the price set by the government below equilibrium price above which it
is illegal to sell or buy a commodity.
Maximum price is set for consumer commodities and it is usually set when the government
finds out that the equilibrium price in the market is too high to enable some people purchase
the commodity.
Illustration
Question: outline any four reasons why the maximum price may be fixed in an economy.
1. To protect consumers from exploitation by profit minded traders and some producers.
2. To maintain price stability /minimize unnecessary price increases.
3. To encourage consumption of some selected goods most especially merit goods.
4. To check or regulate monopoly tendencies as monopolists to a greater extent are price makers.
5. To discourage production of some commodities that are undesirable to peoples‟ health and
morals e.g. demerit goods and public bads.
1. It protects the consumers from exploitation by sellers who usually charge them very high prices.
2. It reduces price fluctuation since the prices are fixed by the government and cannot change due
to forces of demand and supply.
3. It makes essential; goods available and affordable to all people in the country since the
maximum price is relatively low.
4. Maximum prices discourage production of some commodities especially those which are
undesirable to people‟s health and morals. The price is low and therefore low profits
discourage.
5. Maximum price controls monopoly power. This is by setting a price which makes a monopolist
make low profits which reduces the capacity of the monopolist to expand and influence the
market.
6. Maximum price ensures equitable distribution of income. It is because it reduces profits of
producers and expenditure by consumers.
1. It results into shortages of commodities in an economy. This is because the legislated prices
tend to be less attractive to producers.
2. It is expensive for the government to enforce as it involves high administrative costs to make
sure that sellers sell at the price fixed by the government.
3. Malpractices develop in the market and these include; hoarding, black marketing, smuggling
etc.
NB: Black marketing is where the commodity is sold illegally at prices higher than those set by
the government.
4. It results into inefficient allocation of resources as producers divert resources away from
production of other commodities hence leading to distortion of price mechanism.
5. It discourages investment in the production of the commodities whose prices have been
legislated and this retards economic growth.
6. Unemployment and underemployment result as firms try to reduce their costs and lay-off some
workers. Questions
Positive effects
growth.
6. It leads to shortages of supply of goods due to increased demand in case of maximum price.
7. It leads to inefficient allocation with resources due to distortion of price mechanism i.e.
allocation of resources to those areas of goods where there are price controls.
8. It encourages malpractices e.g. smuggling, black markets, hoarding in the case of maximum
price.
9. It is expensive for government to enforce price controls i.e. high administration costs are
involved.
10. It may lead to excess production that calls for dumping in case of minimum price.
3. To avoid unemployment e.g. maximum prices are less attractive to producers and therefore
results into less employment of resources/some firms lay-off employees to cut the cost of
production.
4. To avoid unmanageable surpluses and storage problems (minimum prices). Minimum price
encourages firms to produce in large quantities at times beyond the market demand.
5. To avoid discouraging entrepreneurs through tempering with their profit margins for the sake
of maximum price.
6. To avoid higher administrative costs on those price controls i.e. those monitoring compliance
with the legislated prices.
7. To avoid unnecessary distortion of price mechanism, this may lead to misallocation of
resources.
8. For fear of reducing the social welfare of the people e.g. minimum price which causes inflation
which reduces the purchasing power and demand.
9. To reduce production of excess capacity or underutilization of resources. Minimum price
OR
It is the want satisfying power of the commodity. Utility can be divided into two i.e. i.
Total utility
Marginal utility. This refers to the extra satisfaction derived from consuming an additional unit of the
commodity. e.g.
If one consumes 5 bottles of sodas and then consumes the 6 th one, total utility will be the satisfaction
The marginal utility of a god depends on the amount of the commodity already consumed. The 1 st unit
of a commodity gives higher satisfaction than the subsequent units. This is because the need for a
1. Marginal utility is equal to total utility for the 1st unit consumed.
2. As long as the total utility is increasing, marginal utility is decreasing up to a given point.
3. When the total utility is at maximum (the 6 th unit), marginal utility is zero. The point where total
utility is at maximum is the point of satiety commonly known as the bliss point.
According to this law, as the consumer buys more units of the commodity, the satisfaction derived
from additional units reduces.
Consumer’s surplus
This is defined as the difference between what a consumer is willing to pay for a commodity and what
he actually pays for the commodity.
OR; it is the extra utility enjoyed by the consumer without paying for it.
Consumer‟s surplus
Units of Price willing actual Consumer
commodity to pay price ‟s surplus
1 1000 250 750
2 750 250 500
3 500 250 250
4 400 250 150
5 300 250 50
6 250 250 0
Total 3200 1500
= 1700 shillings
Producer’s surplus; this is the difference between the amount of money a producer is willing to
accept for the sale of a commodity and what he actually receives. It can be illustrated as below.
This explains the continuous fluctuations in prices of agriculture commodities in developing countries.
For it to operate the following assumptions are made.
1. Land output can never be equal to actual output e.g. farmers plan to produce more but in most
cases, they actually realize less.
2. Demand depends on current price.
3. Supply of the commodity depends on price in the previous production period.
4. Agriculture products have a long gestation period implying they take a long time to mature and
supply.
5. Agriculture products have inelastic supply meaning that what is supplied is not necessarily what is
demanded.
6. Farmers can‟t accurately predict the future market needs so plans are not always appropriate.
7. There are possibilities of storing the produce for so long therefore there is no speculation.
Once supplied on the market, it continues until the available stock is exhausted. The cob
web can either be regular, convergent or divergent.
In the illustration above, it can be seen that equilibrium quantity is Qe and price Pe. A high price P1 will
attract farmers who will produce a higher output Q2 in time period t2 causing an excess in supply and
in order to sell that is produced in that period. Farmers sale at low prices P2 which discourages them
to reduce output to Q1 in time period t3. This output is sold at price P1. In this case prices rotate
between two points and equilibrium is never attained.
CONVERGENT COB WEB
Here the supply curve is sleeper that the demand curve meaning that a small price fluctuation leads to
attainment of equilibrium. In other words, price fluctuations can be seen to steadily approach the
equilibrium point as illustrated below.
In the diagram above, under this cycle, price fluctuations tend to develop far away from equilibrium
over time. Demand is more inelastic than supply as illustrated above.
In the illustration above, it can be seen that prices are moving away from the equilibrium position i.e.
as the prices rise and fall; there is no hope that they will rich the equilibrium levels.
Primary production
This refers to the extraction and exploitation of natural resources. Therefore it involves the exploitation
of gifts of nature which provide raw materials. It involves activities like farming, fishing, mining,
lumbering, etc.
Secondary production
This involves transforming raw materials into finished goods that are ready for consumption by the
final consumer.
TYPES OF PRODUCTION
There are two types of production namely;
a) Direct/subsistence production
b) Indirect/commercial production.
Direct/subsistence production
This refers to the production of goods and services by an individual for own consumption.
INDIRECT/COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIONAL
This is where producers are profit motivated and therefore produce surplus with an aim of selling.
Characteristics of commercial production
1. There is production of high quality goods due to competition.
2. There is specialisation in production since the aim is sale.
3. There is mechanization of farming activities.
4. Production is mainly on a large scale.
5. Exchange mainly involves monetary terms.
6. Production is mainly market and profit oriented.
7. The mainly the use of hired labour.
8. There is a high level of research in production.
DEMERITS
1. High costs of production are incurred especially when distributing and transporting the final
products to distant markets.
2. In case of change of demand and tastes of consumers against the product, large scale
producers suffer great losses.
3. There is danger of technological unemployment as a result of mechanisation in production i.e.
machines displace workers
4. There may be high expenditure on inputs of raw materials as producers compete for raw
materials in the market.
5. Because of profit motive in the long run, there may be over exploitation of some resources.
6. It promotes dependence on other countries to get what is not being produced.
7. It leads to pollution and environmental degradation. This is due to mechanisation
FACTORS OF PRODUCTION
Factors of production refer to the inputs used in the production of goods and services to satisfy
human wants. Sometimes factors of production are referred to as agents of production
They are necessary and must be present before production takes place. They include the following
with their respective rewards/factor prices;
Factor payments refer to the monetary payments to factors of production for the services rendered
in the production process.
a) Land - Rent
b) Labour - Wages/Salaries
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 90
c) Capital - Interest
d) Entrepreneurship - Profit/loss.
Characteristics of land
1. The supply of land is fixed i.e. the supply of land cannot be increased
2. Land is a free gift provided by nature (God given gift) and cannot be created by man.
3. Is geographically in mobile but occupationally mobile i.e. cannot be transferred from one place
to another.
4. The productivity of land can be varied.
5. Land is supplied at a zero price
NB. The factor price/monetary reward for using land is called rent
TYPES OF RENT
Commercial rent. This refers to the payment made for the hire/use of a durable asset e.g. renting a
house, machines, land, etc.
Location/site rent. This is rent made to land due to its strategic location site e.g. land in Kampala has a
higher payment made to it than in rural areas due to location Quasi rent.
This is payment to a factor of production which is over and above the transfer earnings, due to its
inelastic supply in the short run but elastic supply in the long run e.g. payment made to doctors,
aircraft engineers, pilots etc.
Economic rent. This refers to the payment to a factor of production which is over and above its supply
price/transfer earnings.
Transfer earnings is a minimum payment to a factor of production necessary to retain or keep it in its
present employment (without transferring to the next best alternative job.
Thus the factors total earnings = Economic rent + transfer earnings.
Question: Assuming that a factor of production has transfer earnings of shs. 250000= and its
economic rent is 1/2 (half) times the transfer earning, calculate the factors actual earning. Factor‟s
actual earning = Economic rent + Transfer earning
= 1/2 X 25000 + 25000
= 37,500 shillings
Activity
Given that a factor of production receives transfer earnings of 350,000 shillings and its economic rent
is 2 ½ times the transfer earnings. Calculate the factors actual earnings.
LABOUR
Characteristics of labour
1. Labour is mobile i.e. both geographically and occupationally.
2. Labour cannot be stored.
3. Labour cannot be separated from the labourer.
4. Its productivity can be varied.
Efficiency of labour. This refers to measure of quality and quantity of output that a unit of labour can
produce within a given period of time.
Or
The ability to achieve greater output in a short time without any decline in the quality of output.
MOBILITY OF LABOUR
IMMOBILITY OF LABOUR
This refers to the inability of labour to move from one occupation to another or from one
geographical area to another.
Therefore geographical immobility of labour refers to the inability of labour to easily move from one
geographical area to another.
Occupational immobility of labour refers to the inability of labour to easily change from one
occupation to another.
Specialisation of labour
Is the concentration of an individual on one or a few occupations or in production of one commodity
where he is most efficient. Or refers to the concentration of labour in production of what one can do
best and gets the rest through exchange.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 102
Advantages/merits of specialisation and division of labour
1. Time saving. It takes little time to learn the job that is no time wasted in moving from one job
to another.
2. Enable workers gain experience and skills that is they become efficient as a result of
repeating the same task.
3. Duplication of tools and tasks is avoided.
4. Enables workers to exploit their natural talents by concentrating on their jobs which they can
do better e.g. doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.
5. Encourages and makes possible the use of machines at various stages of production because
of producing in bulk and this increases the output.
6. Regional specialisation and International division of labour enable regions or countries to
exploit their natural resources and to get what they cannot produce from other regions to
countries.
7. Involves production in bulk/large quantities. This enables firms to reap economies of large
scale production.
8. Specialisation encourages firms to employ specialists at different stages of production which
leads to efficiency and increased output.
9. Less fatigue since an employee is one place using a given machine.
10. There is improvement in the quality of final products. This is because the process is
standardized.
Demerits of specialisation
1. Creates boredom. As one repeats the same task, time after time work becomes
monotonous which dulls intelligence.
2. Leads to unemployment. E.g. for instance in case of change in fashion, demand,
specialists who are laid off cannot easily change to other jobs.
CAPITAL
This refers to man-made resources used to further the production process. Thus capital includes
machinery, money, buildings, tools and equipment used in production, roads, schools etc.
The reward for capital is interest
Capital therefore consists of producer goods and stock of consumer goods not yet in the hands of
consumers.
All in all capital is wealth which helps in the production of more wealth.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 104
Forms of capital
1. Normal /money/ liquid capital. This refers to capital inform of monetary units and can be
inform of currency (Coins and notes (or near cash e.g. a cheque.
2. Real physical capital. This refers to a capital in terms of physical assets such as machinery,
vehicles, and building
3. Fixed capital refers to the capital or machinery or buildings, factory equipment, cars etc.
that are used in production process. It is durable in nature and can be used over and over
again.
4. Private individual capital. Refers to capital owned exclusively by an individual and it yields
income to the individual owner e.g. the business assets, buildings, etc.
5. Public/social overhead capital. This refers to capital which is collectively owned by the
society as a whole. It is usually provided by the state e.g. public roads, hospitals, etc.
6. Operational/working/circulating capital. Capital that consists of raw materials that are
required for the day to day running of the firm e.g. fuel, farm seeds, allowances etc.
7. Sunk capital. This is specialised capital that cannot easily be adapted to alternative uses
e.g. popcorn machines concentrate mixer or plough.
8. Floating capital. Refers to capital that can be used for a number of purposes in various
ways. It is also referred to as non-specific capital e.g. buildings, money etc.
CAPITAL ACCUMULATION/FORMATION
This refers to the process of increasing a country's stock of producer goods/capital goods.
Or
Students’ activity: Explain the factors limiting capital accumulation in your country.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
This refers to the under taking of risks of initiating and financing of business with the
intention of making profits, An entrepreneur, undertakes risks by introducing both new
products and new ways of making the product The reward for entrepreneurship is
profit/loss
FUNCTIONS OF AN ENTREPRENUER
1. He starts the business or firm.
2. He employs other factors of production and coordinates their activities therefore he is
coordinator.
3. He bears risks of initiating and financing the business.
4. He monitors the entire business or production process.
5. He takes major decisions and makes sure that they are carried on i.e. takes decisions about how
and what to produce; therefore he is a decision maker.
6. He organises the other factors of production into new kinds of enterprises associated with new
projects
7. He takes responsibility of losses and profits of the firm.
8. He makes arrangements for rewarding other factors of production.
1. Level of education and training. The higher the level of education the greater the supply of
entrepreneurs and the lower the level of education the lower the supply of entrepreneurship.
2. Natural and acquired abilities People with natural abilities are better than those with limited
abilities and therefore their supply is higher.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 111
3. Government policy in relation to investment. Conducive policies inform of low taxes,
subsidisation leads to high supply of entrepreneurship because of the low cost of production
while unfavourable policies such as high taxation leads to low supply of entrepreneurs
because of the high cost of production and the low profits.
4. Level of economic development. The higher the level of economic development the greater
the supply of entrepreneur and vice versa.
5. Social economic factors e.g. religion, traditions and cultures affect will power of individuals in
undertaking risks in business ventures in a society since a lot of valuables are attached on
such socio-economic factors leading to low supply of entrepreneurship.
6. Size of the market. A large market leads to high supply of entrepreneurship since more
profits are realized where as a small market leads to low supply of entrepreneurship because
the profits are low.
7. Political climate. Political instabilities lead to low supply of entrepreneurship because they
threaten the lives and property of the entrepreneurs while political stability and security
leads to high supply of entrepreneurship because entrepreneurs are assured of security for
their lives and property.
8. Level of development of infrastructural facilities e.g. roads, development banking sectors
leads to high supply of entrepreneurship because they lead to low cost of prodution and
while poorly developed infrastructure leads to low supply of entrepreneurs because it cause
a high cost of production.
9. Land tenure system. A good land tenure system makes acquisition of land easy and this
encourages expansion of enterprises hence high supply of entrepreneurship while a poor
land tenure system causes low supply of entrepreneurship because it makes acquisition of
land difficult.
10. Availability of raw materials. Presence of raw materials increases supply of entrepreneurship
because of the cost of production and when they are scarce the supply of entrepreneurs is
low because it becomes costly to produce.
1. Encouraging economic integration. This increases the market for goods and therefore more
profits are realised
2. Building strong and sound infrastructural facilities e.g. roads telecommunication etc.
to support investments facilities. These reduce the cost of production and therefore make it
easy to establish enterprises.
3. Further privatising state enterprises. This increases competition in production and
encourages individuals to engage in production by starting enterprises.
4. Further liberalising the economy. This makes it easy for individuals to start enterprises since
some unnecessary restrictions are removed.
5. Ensuring a stable political atmosphere. This assures the investors of security for life and
property and therefore more enterprises are established.
6. Providing incentives to investors e.g. free land, tax holidays etc. These reduce the cost of
production and therefore more enterprises are established.
7. Establishment of specialised institutions e.g. Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). These
provide assistance to entrepreneurs by providing the required information on possible
investment opportunities.
8. Ensuring price stability. This reduces the cost of production and increases the profit levels.
9. Providing affordable loans. This is enabling people start production enterprises as they are
provided with the needed funds to purchase inputs for production.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 113
10. Improving the land tenure system. This is making acquisition of land for investment and
mechanisation easier and therefore more output is produced.
11. Fighting corruption. Funds set aside are used for their intended purpose and therefore
projects to support production are put in place.
12. Encouraging savings. This enables individuals to accumulate capital for investment.
13. Providing affordable loans. This enables potential investor access the capital to purchase the
required inputs.
Factor mobility refers to the ease with which a factor of production can move from one geographical
area to another or from one occupation to another.
Geographical mobility of a factor of production refers to the movement of the factor of production
from one area to another in the process of production. Occupational mobility of a factor of production
refers to the ease with which a factor can move from one occupation to another.
PROFIT
It is the reward for an entrepreneur for undertaking a risk for starting the business or firm. It is
the difference between the total revenue and total cost of the firm. (Total revenue - total cost).
2. Normal /zero profits. It is the profit level earned where average revenue is equal to average cost
(AR = AC) Or
3. Economic profits. These are earnings measured or derived by getting the difference between
revenue and opportunity cost of factors used in the production of output sold by the firm. Or
It refers to the difference between revenue got by a firm and what it would have got in the
second best alternative use/employment.
4. Normal profits are earnings or rewards to an entrepreneur or a firm (s) that is just
sufficient/enough to cover total cost or keep him/it in production without inducing other firms
to join the industry.
Functions of profits
1. They serve as an incentive that encourages an entrepreneur to take risks of investment because
without profit the entrepreneur cannot take risks.
2. Profits are a source of finance to the investor who will re-invest or plough back the profits and
thus encourage expansion.
3. They stimulate innovation - that is profits provide incentive to innovate and improve
productivity and efficiency.
4. They guide government in taxation. An increase in profits increases the capacity of firms to pay
taxes.
BUSINESS UNITS
Sole proprietorship:
This is the business under the control and management of one person. He provides all the capital and
labour (although he sometimes uses family labour) makes all decisions, suffers any risks that may arise
and enjoys all the profits.
It is very common in retail trade
The major sources of finance earning are his savings and borrowing.
PARTNERSHIP
It is a type of business unit formed by a group of people between two and twenty who contribute
capital to start a business with an aim of making profits.
The minimum of the number of people is 2 (two) and the maximum is 20.
A partnership begins operation after the partners have signed a partnership deed.
Types of partnership
1. Ordinary (unlimited) partnership. This is one in which all the members have unlimited liability i.e.
they are answerable to the firm‟s debts up to the extent of selling off their personal property.
2. Limited partnership. This is one in which the liability of the members is restricted to the nominal
amount of capital they have put in the business.
Types of partners
1. Active partners
Disadvantages
1. Decision making is slow since consultations have to be made.
2. There is unlimited liability in case of ordinary partnership.
3. Disagreement between partners may lead to the collapse of the business of sometimes greatly
affect operations of the business.
4. Profits have to be shared among members in the business. This discourages them to work hard.
5. The business may collapse in case of death, resignation of an active partner
6. Sometimes it results into laziness or incompetence among some members as everyone tries to
escape from work after all profits are shared among all members.
JOINTSTOCK COMPANIES
These are business units comprising or between 2(two) to 50 members or 7 (seven) to a maximum of
indefinite number of individuals organized for the purpose of carrying on some business with the aim
of making profits. These members are referred to as shareholders who a supposed to take a share of
the profits of the business at the end of each year. Shareholders have got limited liability.
N.B: Public limited Liability Company is a business unit comprising of a minimum number seven and
no maximum number of shareholders who have contributed capital through buying shares from the
company with an aim of making profits.
Disadvantages
1. Shares are not freely transferrable
2. Membership is restricted to a maximum of 50 people hence expected capital is limited.
3. Shares cannot be sold publicly
1. Personal savings. An individual or family business may be started on the basis of the
proprietor‟s accumulated savings.
2. Bank loans and advances. Besides requiring capital to finance materials, firms also require
capital for building, buying machinery and vehicles. These require long term loans from
banks.
3. Shares and debentures. In its early days, a firm will rely on the original shares of capital
subscribed by members or debentures. A debenture refers to a unit of a long term loan of a
company or firm by the members of the public.
4. Retained profit/accumulated reserves. Once a firm is established, the most common
method of raising long term capital is from retained profits. Within a year, a firm may pay
some of its profits to shareholders but will retain or reserve some profits for future use.
5. Borrowing from friends and relatives. I.e. the proprietor may get capital from friends and
relatives.
6. Selling of fixed assets. The business may get finance from mortgaging fixed assets such as
land, permanent buildings durable items like cars permanent buildings etc.
COOPERATIVE SOCITIES
Is a voluntary association of people who have got common interest/objectives.
It is a voluntary association formed by the group of people for the purpose of benefiting its members.
Output
TP
AP
Output
MP
The table showing total product, average product and marginal production in the short run.
Graphical relationship between total product, marginal product and average product.
It states that as more and more units of a variable factor are applied to a given quantity of a fixed
factor, the marginal product first rises reaches maximum point and then falls.
Questions
(a) State the law of variable factor proportions
(b) Outline the assumptions of the law of diminishing returns
(c) Distinguish between marginal product and average product
(d) State two factors that may lead to an increase in marginal product of labour.
RETURNS TO SCALE
This refers to relationship between the change in the scale or output and the resulting change
of output in the long run when all the inputs have changed in the same proportion. Returns to
scale takes place in three (3) forms.
1. Increasing returns to scale. This is when the firms output increases at decreasing per unit cost
as a result of increased combination of factor inputs. This is where by a given increase in the
scale of inputs by a given percentage leads to a bigger percentage increase in the level of
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 132
output. With increasing returns to scale, the marginal product rises which leads to a fall in the
average costs, therefore increasing returns to scale due to enjoyment of the economies of scale
enjoyed by large scale firms.
2. Constant returns to scale.
This is when an increase in the existing factor combination increases output at constant per unit
cost. This is where by a given increase in the scale of inputs by a given percentage leads to an
equal percentage increase in the level of outputs e.g. doubling of inputs leading to the
doubling of the output.
3. Decreasing returns to scale.
This is where by a given increase in the scale of inputs by a given percentage leads to a smaller
large increase in the level of output.
With decreasing returns to scale, the, marginal product happens to be falling leading to
increasing average cost.
The decreasing returns to scale are due to the disadvantages of large scale production.
Output x
Qo
MP
O L0 Variable
factor (labour)
From the above illustration, the, marginal product of labour first rises up to point x because the
fixed factor is still more than the variable factor.
An industry is a combination of a firm that produce similar or related products e.g. beer
industry, mattresses industry.
Firms in an industry may produce in competition with each other or they may combine and
produce together
The industry is also ways known or by the name of the product, foot ware industry.
GROWRTH OF A FIRM
Advantages/importance of merging
1. It widens the market. Integration enables firms to enjoy a large market because of reduced
competition in the market.
2. It increases the profit margin. More profits are attained than when firms are operated on
individual basis due to economies of scale. This encourages further production.
3. Increases production. Integration expands the level of output due to use of better technology.
This leads to reduced costs per unit output.
4. Economies of scale are enjoyed. This is because integration encourages expansion of firms
leading to reduced costs of production.
5. It encourages diversification. The integration of firms can offer a wide variety of products hence
increasing consumer's choice and welfare.
Disadvantages of merging
1. Results into unemployment. When firms merge some workers are laid off in order to reduce
costs. This reduces their incomes and welfare.
2. Result into the production of poor quality products. Merging of forms minimises
competition hence production of poor quality goods and service.
3. Results into over production. Merging of firms enables access to better technology which
leads to high output beyond market demand. This causes wastage of resources.
4. Managerial problems arise. This is because of the complexity of many departments and a
large number of employees and these make supervision of the new enterprise difficult.
5. Results into diseconomies of scale. These are the disadvantages arising from large scale
production such as failure to get adequate market for the produced output or shortage of
skilled labour for the big firm/industry.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 140
6. Leads to development of monopoly powers. There is exploitation of consumers in form of
high prices due to reduced competition.
7. Profits are shared. This results into low profits per firm
8. High taxes are charged on the big firm. This is because the firm is operating on large scale
and this reduces on the profit margin.
9. A firm may make a lot of losses in case of errors by management. This makes the firm close
down its operations.
10. Results into loss of independence by individual firms. Integrated firms work together and
there is need for consultation before a final decision is made. This delays decision making
and implementation.
An industry
It is a collection of firms producing similar/related commodities
1. Rooted industries
These are industries which must be located in a particular area due to the pull factors.
2. Foot loose industries
These are industries which can be located anywhere without considering location factors.
3. Tied industries
These are located near the market of the finished products e.g. furniture workshop.
4. Bulk increasing/weight gaining industries
Location of industry
It refers to a geographical site where a firm or an industry is established Or
It refers to the establishment of a firm or an industry in a particular area irrespective of whether there
are other firms or not.
LOCALISATION OF INDUSTRY
This refers to the concentration of many firms in a particular area or place which may be producing
similar or differentiated products.
N.B: The factors that determine the localisation of industries are the very factors that may lead to the
location of industries.
Advantages of localisation
1. It leads to the expansion of employment opportunities. This is due to many
activities/enterprises in an area in which people get jobs.
2. Better quality products are produced. This is due to competition among firms which results
into the production of high quality products hence improving people's welfare.
3. It increases market for goods and services. Localisation increases market for raw materials as
well as finished products leading to optimum utilisation of resources.
4. Development of Infrastructure is stimulated. It encourages the construction and
rehabilitation of infrastructure which eases transportation of goods and services from the
firms.
5. It attracts high skilled and specialised labour. This implies that the localised area enjoys a
pool of skilled personnel at low costs hence efficiency in production.
6. It is easy for localised areas to get government support. It becomes cheap for the
government to provide service such as schools, electricity, and security because of the
significance of the area to the country.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 146
7. It results into the development of forward and backward linkages lead to increased
industrialisation. Industries support each other by providing market for output from other
firms.
8. Leads to cooperation of industries in solving common problems. The firms try to solve
common problems since they able to share costs which reduces the burden faced by each
firm.
9. Wide variety of products is produced in the area. This is because of product differentiation
by the different firms.
10. Promotes the development of auxiliary services in the area. There is emergence of other
services to support production e.g. insurance companies, banks, etc.
11. Leads to increased utilisation of would-be idle resources. The increase in the number of firms
increases the demand for raw materials which increases there exploitation.
12. Promotes specialisation and its advantages. Firms specialise in the production of certain
products to avail inputs to other firms.
13. Leads to low prices of final products. The competition between firms creates competition
between which causes prices to fall.
14. Increased government revenue. The firms form an important tax base which increases
government revenue through taxation.
15. Increased reputation/popularity of the area. The products from the area become popular
because there are many firms involved in production.
16. Increased security of the area.
17. Increased output hence economic growth. The increase in the number of firms involved in
production causes high production hence a high rate of economic growth.
N.B: A forward linkage is where the established industry leads to development of another industry that
uses its products as inputs or raw materials.
Or
It is where one industry's output goes as inputs for another industry e.g. sugar industry prompting the
establishment of sweet or bread industries
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 147
Backward linkage is where an industry creates demand (Market) for other industries products which it
uses as its inputs e.g. sugar industry, creating demand for sugarcanes or sacks for packing sugar.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
These are advantages of large scale production that a firm enjoys by way of reduced per unit costs due
to its good internal organisation or as a result of operation of other firms in a given locality. Or
They are advantages enjoyed by the firm inform of reduced average cost as a result of increasing the
scale of production. Under large scale production, output increases at a decreasing cost per unit of
production.
Under large scale production, output increases at a decreasing cost per unit of output.
In the short run, output can be increased by using more of the variable factors of production while the
fixed factor remains constant. In the long run however, the firm can vary all factors of production to
increase output. It will at first experience a fall in the average costs of production to low point
(optimum point) as output increases because of economies of scale.
However beyond its optimum, output is increased at increasing costs per unit thus it experiencing
diseconomies of scale leading to high average costs.
Q0 Output
P0 A
From the above illustration, point A is the optimum point of the firm where it incurs the lowest
average costs.
Before point A costs are declining as output increases. This is termed as economies of scale.
After point A, average costs are increasing hence the firm is suffering/experiencing diseconomies of
scale.
Economies of scale are represented by downward sloping portion of the long run average sloping cost
curve while diseconomies of scale are represented by the upward sloping portion of the long run
average cost curve.
1. Pecuniary economies
DISECONOMIES OF SCALE
These are disadvantages of large scale production that a firm experiences in form of rising per unit
cost of production as output increases, either due to internal factors or as a result of behaviours of
other firms.
The optimum point refers to a point where firm incurs the minimum average costs.
An optimum firm is the one which operates at the minimum average cost and it is the most efficient.
0 Q0 Quantity
Point a is the optimum point of the firm when firm is producing output less than 0 then it is operating
at excess capacity.
Excess capacity is a situation where by the firm or industry is producing at less than the installed
capacity O it is a state of underutilisation of available resources.
Costs of production are monetary expenses of the firm. That is they are total payments incurred to
produce a given level of output. Costs can be categorized as follows;
Social costs
A social cost of production is the opportunity cost foregone in production of one commodity instead
of another e.g. if a firm puts its inputs in production of say maize instead of using the same resources
in production of the beans. Then the social cost of producing maize is the beans foregone by the firm.
Private costs
These are monetary expenses incurred by the firm in production of a given level of output. These may
include costs of labour, raw materials, capital etc. Private costs can be distinguished into; a) Implicit
costs
b) Explicit costs Implicit costs
These are monetary expenses incurred in production that are over looked when calculating costs of
the firm. They are costs which are self-owned e.g. salary of the sole proprietor, house rent, family
labour etc. Explicit costs
These are monetary expenses of the firm that are taken to be as the true spending of the business
enterprise in the course of production of the good. They include; salaries and wages, costs of raw
materials, transport and distribution costs, insurance premium etc.
From the illustration, total fixed costs remain fixed at cost C 0 as output increases from Q1 – Q2
Total fixed costs start above zero because even when there is no output the fixed cost must be
incurred.
Average variable cost curve is u -shaped in that it begins by falling reaches minimum and rises as
shown below.
AFC
Output
Average total cost /Average cost (ATC/A.C)
This refers to the total cost per unit output produced. It is the cost incurred in production of each unit
of output and is given the formular.
As output increases, marginal cost falls reaches a minimum and starts increasing continuously.
Below is a table showing the variation of costs of the firm in the short run.
The revenue of the firm means the returns or proceeds to the firm after selling a given level of output
Or
It refers to the firms earnings received from the sale of goods and services.
Revenue of a firm can be looked at 3 ways;
a) Total revenue
b) Marginal revenue
c) Average revenue
Total revenue (TR)
This is the total amount of money received by the firm as a result of selling its total output produced in
a given period.
Total revenue = Price (P) X Quantity (Q).
TR = P XQ
MARKET STRUCTURES
A market is an arrangement or an organisation in which buyers and sellers come together to negotiate
the exchange of a given commodity.
PERFECT COMPETITION
Is a market structure where there are many buyers and many sellers of homogenous products. In
reality this market does not exist because conditions in which it operates are quite ideal i.e. unrealistic.
Pure competition: This is the market situation where there are many buyers and sellers of a
homogenous commodity but without perfect flow of knowledge and perfect mobility of factors of
production.
Equilibrium position of a firm under perfect competition in the short run or output, price profit
determination of a firm under perfect competition
In the short run period a firm maximises profits at a point where marginal cost = marginal revenue
(MC = MR), this is the necessary condition.
Or
It is a point where the firm covers only its Average Variable costs. At shut down point AR = AVC = MC
Point B is the shutdown point at which the firm is in position to cover only the average variable costs
corresponding output 0Q2 which is the shutdown output.
Reasons why a firm continues to operate even if its Average costs is greater than average revenue
(AC>AR) (Even if its revenue does not cover the fixed costs)/when it is making losses
1. It may he hoping to merge such that the average costs will reduce when the firm have merged
2. Sometimes the losses may be seasonal in nature in that after a certain seasons, the firm may
recover from the seasonal high costs.
3. Fear of incurring high costs of depreciation especially in situations where the firm has fixed
assets that cannot be sold off when the firm closes down.
4. The firm may be having hopes of changing the management especially if the losses are due to
inefficient management
MONOPOLY
This is a market structure where there are many buyers and one seller /producer of a commodity with
limited or no close substitutes.
Pure/absolute/perfect monopoly
This is a market situation in which there are many buyers and one seller of a commodity that has no
substitutes at all.
Imperfect monopoly
This is a market situation in which there are many buyers and one seller of a commodity that has
limited close substitutes.
Types of monopoly
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 176
Bilateral monopoly
This is a situation where there is only one producer /seller and one buyer of a single commodity e.g. a
trade union and the employees association.
Natural monopoly
This is a type of monopoly which arises from exclusive ownership of a strategic raw material or natural
resource.
Spatial monopoly
This is a type of monopoly that arises from long distance between two producers or a similar product.
Partial monopoly
This is monopoly which exists when a firm is a sole distributor of a particular brand of a product. It is a
type of monopoly which is brought about by product differentiation.
Statutory monopoly
This is monopoly that results from the government statutes or from acts of parliament that stops other
firms from entering into the industry e.g. UNEB and National social security Fund (NNSF).
Collusive /Collective monopoly
This is the type of monopoly that comes as a result or merging of firms
D
Output
Profit maximisation under monopoly in the short run.
Under monopoly, the firm maximises profits when it is in equilibrium at a point where marginal cost is
equal to marginal revenue. (MC = MR.)
1. A monopolist fixes price at a point where the output line meets the AR/demand curve and the
price is P0.
N.B: The demand curve for a monopolist is the same both in the long and short run because of the
restricted entry of new firms in the industry that enables it to earn abnormal profits both in the short
run and in the long run.
Features of monopoly
1. There is only one producer or one firm in the industry due to some limitations that keep other
firms from entering.
2. The commodity produced by the monopoly firm has limited or no close substitutes
3. Entry of new firms into the industry is blocked that is no new or other firms are allowed to enter
the industry both in the long run and the short run
4. A monopolist is a price maker of his commodity. This means that the monopolist determines the
price at which to sell the commodity but cannot determine both the output and price therefore
he can either determine the output or price
5. A monopolists produces at excess capacity i.e. he underutilises resources with an aim of
producing less output to create shortage so as to sell at high prices
6. Under monopoly the firm is the industry and the industry is the firm because there is only firm in
the industry
7. The demand curve for a monopolist is fairly inelastic that is it is down ward sloping from left to
right.
8. There is no persuasive advertisement under monopoly but can have informative advertisement.
This is because there are no competing firms and no close substitutes.
9. The main aim of the firm is maximising profits even in the long run because there are no new
firms that are allowed to enter compete away the abnormal profits.
10. A monopolist is able to carry out price discrimination i.e. in position to sell a similar product to
different buyers at different prices.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 179
Causes/basis/origin/factors give rise to monopoly
1. Ownership of a strategic raw material. This is where a firm controls the source of a raw material
used in the production of a given commodity. Therefore no any other firm can access the
strategic raw material leading to natural monopoly.
2. Protectionism. This is when there is use of foreign trade restrictions like tariffs, quotas, total ban
etc. to protect a home industry from outside competition which results into monopoly.
3. Long distance between producers. Monopoly arises due to long distance between producers
such that each producer becomes a monopolist in his/her own locality/area. This is because
buyers in each locality find it difficult to cross to another producer to buy commodities because
of high transport costs.
4. Patent and copy rights. This is where the government gives legal rights to an individual to
produce of a given product e.g. text books and films. And therefore they become the only
produces of those products for a given period of time.
5. High initial capital requirement. There are some investments which require large sums of money
and are expensive to undertake and therefore it is impossible for new firms to set up and
compete with the existing firm.
6. Through acts of parliament. The government establishes and controls certain enterprise to
avoid duplication of service and resource wastage. The provision of such service is not open to
competition hence monopoly.
7. Merging of firms. This is where firms producing similar/related products or related goods come
together to form one big firm
8. Possession of special talents. People who have special talents become monopolist in the supply
of certain services e.g. Musicians, footballers and comedians.
9. Long period in training. A long period of training in a specific field leads to monopoly because it
takes a long time before a competitor emerges. This is more especially with consultants like
doctors, engineers etc.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 180
10. Possession of exclusive technology. When a firm attains excusive technology to produce a given
product; it becomes a monopolist because other firms are not able to produce a product to
compete.
11. Through product differentiation. This is leads to monopoly when a producer is in position to
produce certain products and brands, which limit other firms entering the market.
12. Small size of the market. The market may be too small to support more than one firm and
therefore only one firm is left into the industry.
Advantages of Monopoly
1. A monopolist is able to enjoy economies of scale which results into reduced average costs of
production. This is because a monopolist is able to expand the size of the firm since he is the
only seller.
2. Abnormal profits are enjoyed both in the short or long run. These encourage large scale
production and easy expansion of the business
3. There is limited duplication of goods and service. Resources are not wasted since there is only
one firm producing a given commodity
4. Public utilities provide cheaper service. State monopolies are established to serve the public at
relatively cheaper prices because the aim is not to maximise profits like others e.g. the provision
of Water when there is no competition
5. Enables growth and development of infant industries because of patent accorded to
monopolists or through foreign trade restrictions. The infant industries enjoy the local market
since they are not exposed to competition from abroad.
6. Price discrimination that is practiced under monopoly enables the poor to access certain
commodities which maximises there welfare and reduces income inequality.
7. A monopoly has low operational costs. There is no competition and therefore there is no
pervasive advertisement costs and products differentiation.
Disadvantages of monopoly
1. There is excess capacity i.e. underutilisation of resources. Monopolists underutilize resources
such that they produce less than their full capacity in order to maximise profits by charging
high prices.
2. Leads to problems of income inequality. This is because of the o abnormal profits that made by
a monopoly firms both in the short run and long run hence they earn excessive profits at the
expense of the society which leads to income inequality.
3. Limited variety/Lack for choice for consumers. There is absence of variety of products because
there is no product differentiation thus limited choice and therefore a low standard of living.
4. Shortages especially in time of break down or in case of any calamity or war. If the firm breaks
down, the entire community faces shortages of output one market since there is no alternative
supplier.
5. Low quality commodities are provided. The quality of final products under monopoly tends to
be low due to absence of competition in production.
6. There is exploitation of workers by way of under paying them since the employer is aware that
the worker may not alternative employers.
7. High pressure is exerted on government especially in decision making. The huge economic
power of monopolists is transformed into political power as monopoly firms exert pressure on
the government to influence decision making so that favourable policies are put in place.
Price discrimination refers to the act by a producer/monopolist/ a seller charging different prices for a
similar product to different groups of consumers.
E.g. the firms using price discrimination include hotels, UMEME, Saloons, National water and Sewerage
Corporation.
(b) Marginal cost pricing: This is a situation where the government fixes a minimum price for the
monopolist that is equal to the marginal cost. This one causes the monopolist to increase his
output however he may make losses which may be covered by subsides from the government
that is MC = AR
(a) Lump sum tax: This is a tax imposed on a monopolist regardless of the level of output
produced. It is regarded as a fixed cost to a monopolist.
Effects of Lump sum
a) Average cost increases
b) Monopolists profits reduce
c) Marginal cost remains unchanged
d) Price remains unchanged
e) Output remains constant.
(b) Specific tax. Tax imposed on each unit of output produced. It is therefore variable cost to a
monopolist.
Effects of a specific tax
a) Average cost increases
b) Marginal cost increases
c) Price increases.
d) There is a reduction in output.
e) Profits reduce.
3. Setting up of rival firms. The government can set up or encourage the setting of rival /firms to
produce the same products or close substitutes so as to create competition which will make a
monopolist to improve the quality of his products.
4. Nationalising private firms, that is taking over of ownership, control and management of private
monopoly firm such that they are owned by the government. This enables government provide
goods at fair prices.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 187
5. Removal of foreign trade restrictions. That is the government may reduce or remove trade
restrictions such as total ban import quotas, reducing tariffs. This makes it possible for local
firms to compete with international firms which improve efficiency in production and the quality
of goods.
6. Privatisation of public enterprises. This reduces the monopoly power of state owned enterprises
which means that more firms are able to enter into the industry/business and compete for the
local market hence improving quality and quantity.
7. Establishing a bureau of standards. Such institutions help in setting standards that producers
must follow especially concerning the quality of products.
8. Discouraging the merging of firms which may bring up monopoly. This can be done by putting
in place anti-monopoly laws which discourage merging of firms which is collusive monopoly.
9. Encourage foreign investors using investment incentives. Foreign investors should be
encouraged in the country using investment incentives to compete with the private monopolist
and produce goods that are produced by monopolists.
10. Liberalisation. Liberalisation such that other producers are allowed to enter the industry as this
reduces the dominance of statutory monopolies. This increases the availability of goods and
services.
11. Restriction on the period of patent rights. Government should give limited patent period to a
producer such that his firm does not become a monopoly.
MONOPOLISTIC COMPETITITON
This is a market structure where there are many buyers and sellers dealing in differentiated
commodities.
Monopolistic competition lies between monopoly and perfect competition and therefore combines
elements of both. E.g. those that deal in soft drinks, bread industry, soap industry etc.
N.B Production differentiation is a practice of creating artificial differences between products so that
to the consumers they appear not similar.
Production differentiation is the practice by producers in an imperfect market to creating artificial
differences.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 188
Features of production differentiation
1. Differentiated packaging
2. Different branding
3. Different colour
4. Persuasive advertising
5. Different designs
6. Different shapes 7. Different scent. Etc.
Equilibrium position of a firm making abnormal profits under monopolistic competition in the short
run
In the short run a firm under monopolistic competition maximises profits at the point where
MC = MR
Price is determined where the output line meets the AR/DD curve that is at point X Costs are
determined where the output line meets the AC curve at point Y.
At equilibrium output profits are maximised when AR > AC
The firm earns abnormal /Super normal profits as shown by the shaded rectangle C 0P0XY.
Long run equilibrium position of the firm under monopolistic competition making normal products
In the long run, a firm in a monopolistic competitive market maximises profits at point determines
where LMC =LMR
This can be illustrated as below.
Difference and similarities between pure monopoly and monopolistic competitive markets
Differences
1. In pure monopoly, there is only one firm/seller while in monopolistic competitive markets there
are many producers. i.e. there is no competition in pure monopoly while competition exists in
monopolistic competition.
2. In pure monopoly market, entry is blocked while in monopolistic competitive markets there is
freedom of entry in the industry.
3. In pure monopoly market, there is no persuasive advertisement while in monopolistic
competition it is there.
Similarities
1. Existence of excess capacity in both markets
2. The producers/sellers/firms in both market situations are price makers.
3. The demand or average revenue curves are down sloping in both markets from left to right.
4. The firms in both market situations earn abnormal profits in the short run.
5. Both markets attain equilibrium output at point where price equals average revenue but greater
than MR = MC.
6. In both market situations there are many buyers/consumers.
OLIGOPOLY
This is a market structure where there are few firms of different sizes with many buyers dealing in
either differentiated or homogenous products.
Types of oligopoly
1. Perfect oligopoly. This is a market situation where there are few producers and many buyers of
homogenous products.
2. Imperfect differentiated oligopoly. This is a market structure where there are few large firms
with many buyers dealing in differentiated products.
3. Duopoly. This is a market situation where there are two producers/sellers and many buyers of
commodities which are close substitutes. e.g. the cement industry, soda industry (Century
bottling company, and crown bottling).
4. Duopsony. This is a market structure where there are only two buyers but with many producers
of a commodity.
6. Oligopsony. This is a market situation where there are many producers with few buyers of closely
related commodities.
P0
0 Q0 Quantity
The demand curve of an oligopolist is kinked because of the differences in the elasticities of demand
at different price levels i.e. the demand curve has got two portions; the upper portion being elastic
and the lower portion is inelastic.
This is because if one firm charges a higher price above the administered price (0P 0), other firms will
not follow suit and therefore, its demand will fall by relatively a bigger percentage (elastic), but if a firm
fixes the price below the administered price other firms will fear to lose customers and therefore will
reduce on prices even at a lower level to form cut throat competition or they may divert to non-price
competition making demand change by a small percentage (inelastic).
The short run and long run equilibrium position and profit maximisation of a firm under oligopoly
The firm under oligopoly maximises profits at the point of equilibrium where MC = MR.
National income is the measure in terms of money the value of all goods and services produced with
in a country over a given period of time/year.
In national income accounting there four types of national income figures that an economy may
compile depending on the data/information that is used in compiling the figures. The forms that
national income may take include:
This the money value of all goods and services produced within the territorial boundaries of a country
during a specific period of time usually one year.
It is the national income produced within the territorial boundaries by both the nationals and
foreigners living in that country in a year. It includes the sum total of money value of all goods and
services resulting from productive activities within the economy irrespective whether production is by
nationals or foreigners living in a country.
Sectors that produce within an economy include households (C), business sector (I), the government
sector (G), plus the depreciation incurred in production of goods and services. Therefore GDP= C+ I +
G + depreciation.
This is the money measure of goods and services produced within the territorial boundaries of a
country during a given period of time usually a year excluding the value of depreciation. It is the
country‟s GDP less the depreciation
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 200
Therefore NDP = GDP – depreciation.
This is the money value of all goods and services produced by the nationals over a given period of
time excluding the value of what is produced by foreigners living in that country. It is the money value
of goods and services produced by the nationals of a country living with in a country and those
abroad during a given year.
It excludes the value produced by foreigners living within the country and does also not take into
account the depreciation of capital equipment.
In this case GNP = C + I + G + (X-M) where (X-M) represents net earnings from abroad, X is exports
and M imports.
This refers to the difference between income earned by the nationals of a country abroad and income
earned by the foreigners in a country in a given period of time usually a year.
This is the money measure of goods and services produced by nationals living within and outside the
country during a year excluding the value of depreciation.
Depreciation/capital consumption
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 201
This refers to the wear and tear of capital goods during the production process i.e. it is the loss of
value of capital goods.
Causes of depreciation
1. Per capita income: This means the average income of an individual of a given country in a
particular year. It can also be defined as income per head.
3. Real income: This is the value of goods produced with in a period of time when valued at
constant prices.
before direct taxes and other compulsory payments are deducted. i.e. It includes income from
transfer payments, pensions, grants, etc.
5. Disposable income: This refers to the income of an individual that remains after direct taxes and
other compulsory payments have been deducted that can be consumed or saved.
6. Real income per capita – Is the average income valued at base year price.
Or
Average income of the people in terms of quantity of goods and services it can purchase.
While
7. Nominal income per capita – Is the average income of population in monetary terms. /The
average income valued at current price.
8. Nominal gross domestic product – Refers to GDP/one/national output valued at current year
price. or
The total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period
of time valued at current year prices.
While
Discuss the factors that affect the size of national income in your country.
1. Availability and utilisation of resources: These include land, capital stock and organisation of
factors of production in the right proportions. When the available natural resources are well
utilised there is high level of output because firms have inputs/raw materials to use in
There are three approaches or methods of measuring national income. These are:
If we wish to calculate the total money value of goods and services produced and sold during a year, it
can be done in any of the three ways.
1. We can add up market expenditure by final consumers including purchase of final goods by
firms.
2. We can add up all incomes received by individuals who have contributed to output but
excluding incomes from un productive activities and all forms of transfer payments.
3. We can find out the value of each of the firms contribution to total output i.e. value added or
net output of all the firms. This gives the valued added approach.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 207
The above three approaches are the three ways of deriving the same total. Algebraically we can
express the above relationship as O = Y= E
Where O represents the output approach Y the income approach and E the expenditure approach. To
understand the relationship between the three approaches we use the circular flow of income and
expenditure in a two sector model/simple economic system (closed economy).
This is the movement of income and expenditure among the sectors of the economy and these are:
a) Household sector: these are consumers and owners of factors of production to whom payments
are made.
b) The business sector. These are productive firms which use the factors of production to produce
goods and services.
1. It assumes a closed economy (autarky) i.e. an economy that does not engage in international
trade.
2. It assumes that all factors of production are owned and provided by the house hold sector.
3. The house hold sector comprises a consuming class i.e. all consumption takes place in the
house hold sector and no production takes place in this sector.
4. That all production takes place in the business sector and that no consumption takes place in
this sector.
Following the assumptions above the circular flow of income is as illustrated below:
Finally we assume that households do not save out of their incomes. Therefore expenditure by
households = what is obtained as factor payments i.e. Y = E. Therefore O = Y. it therefore follows that
O = Y = E (the three methods of getting National income).
This method involves adding up the total values added to the output at each stage of the production
process in a year. Or it involves summing up of the money value of final goods and services from all
productive activities of the economy in a given year. e.g. agriculture, industry etc.
This method involves adding up the total final money value of all the incomes received by the factors of
production or persons and enterprises for rendering services in an economy in a year. These include rent,
wages/salaries, interest and profits that go to factors of production. Therefore National income = W + I + R +
P.
NOTE: In this method the following are not included; transfer payments/transfer incomes
(unemployment benefits, grants, gifts, pensions etc.) because they are non-quid-pro-quo and illegal
activities such as robbery, smuggling etc.
Problems faced when calculating national income using the income approach
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 211
1. Double counting i.e. considering income more than once.
2. Lack of adequate information or data, since some individuals are not willing to reveal all their
sources of income.
3. Problem of transfer payments. These are not supposed to be included because they are not
derived from current production.
4. Problem of income from abroad. Sometimes this income is not included because it is difficult to
estimate income from abroad.
5. Problems of capital gains. Assets tend to gain value with time as a result of changes in prices;
owners of these assets do make profits which gains should not be included when calculating
national income because they do not involve increase in output.
6. Problem of depreciation allowance. Different firms use different methods of determining
depreciation and therefore a standard figure is difficult to get.
7. Subsistence sector. Income from this sector is difficult to determine and therefore an imaginary
value is used.
8. Unpaid for services. Some services are not paid for e.g. work done by house wives and therefore
an imaginary figure is used.
Using this method national income is obtained by adding up public and private expenditure on final goods
and services during any given year. Therefore total national expenditure = Household expenditure (C) +
Investment expenditure (I) + Government expenditure on goods and services (G) and overseas buyers (X-M).
Therefore National income = C + I + G + (X- M)
EXPENDITURE METHOD
In theory it is a relatively straight forward matter to measure the national income of a country. In
practice however, many problems are encountered when compiling national income statistics and
below are those that deserve mention:
1. Inadequate information/data. Statistical services are poor and some people give false
information to escape taxation, in addition the high levels of illiteracy and insufficient funds
make compilation of good information difficult. This leads to underestimation of national
income.
2. Difficulty in valuing subsistence output. This results into using an imputed value/estimated
that either exaggerates or under-estimates the national income.
3. Unpaid for services/work done oneself. It is difficult to determine the value of unpaid for
services and as result they are ignored which leads to low level of national income.
4. Errors of omission and commission. Errors of omission result into underestimation of
national income because some information is not included while errors of commission result
into exaggerated national income because some information is included when it should not.
5. Problem /difficulty in valuing depreciation. Valuing of depreciation is difficult because
different firms use different methods and this makes it difficult to determine the net output.
6. Shortage of trained personnel/equipment. This makes gathering of data difficult as it results
into inaccurate information being gathered
1. Discuss the factor responsible for the low level of national income in your country.
2. Suggest measures that should be taken to increase national income in your country.
1. Ensuring political stability. This is attracting local and foreign investors because they are
assured of security for life and property which increases the level of investment and
production.
2. Improving technology. This is realised through increased research and therefore better
technology is used which increases efficiency in production.
3. Equipping labour with skills. This involves equipping labour with practical skills through
vocational education and thus increasing labour efficiency which increases investment and
production.
4. Encouraging capital accumulation. This is realised by encouraging saving so that people
accumulate capital to purchase inputs for use in the production.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 215
5. Expanding the market. This is achieved through economic integration so that there is an
increase in the out let for the goods and services which increases profits.
6. Encouraging infrastructural development. This is through construction and rehabilitation so
that production costs are reduced and production is increased.
7. Offering investment incentives. These are in the form of tax incentives, subsidisation etc.
these are reducing the production cost and increase production.
8. Privatising public enterprises. Privatising enterprises is increasing efficiency in production
and therefore causing a high level of national income due to a higher level of production.
9. Liberalising the economy. Liberalisation is increasing the number of enterprises involved in
production and this is resulting into increased production of goods and services.
10. Ensuring economic stability/price stability. This involves using fiscal and monetary policies to
stabilise prices which reduces the cost of production and increases business confidence and
therefore increased production of goods and services.
11. Controlling the population growth rate. This is done by encouraging family planning and as
result savings increase which increases the rate of investment and production.
12. Modernising agriculture. This involves providing farmers with better varieties of crops and
animals which increases production due to a reduction in the reliance on nature.
13. Providing affordable loans. This is enabling people start production enterprises as they are
provided with the needed funds to purchase inputs for production.
14. Improving the land tenure system. This is making acquisition of land for investment and
mechanisation easier and therefore more output is produced.
15. Fighting corruption. Funds set aside are used for their intended purpose and therefore
projects to support production are put in place.
STANDARD OF LIVING
Standard of living refers to the conditions of life in which people live or aspire to live. Or it is the
measure of the level of human or social and economic welfare of an individual or society as
Cost of living refers to the amount of money required by an individual to sustain life style accustomed
to.
This is the average income per head in the country. It is the money value of goods and services
available per person in a country in a year. Dividing the national income figure by the population gives
the per capita income. The concept of per capita income enables us to know the average income and
1. It does not take into account the type of goods produced in the country. Per capita income
may be high in a country which is producing capital goods yet these do not improve peoples ‟
lives directly.
2. It does not consider leisure fore gone/long hours of work. Per capita income may be high in a
country where leisure is foregone, people over work themselves and as a result they do not
enjoy a high standard of living.
3. It does not take into account the distribution of income. Per capita income may be high when
income is concentrated in the hands of few individuals implying that majority of the people
have a low standard of living since there purchasing power is low.
4. It does not take into account the political situation in the country. Per capita income may be
high because of heavy government expenditure to stabilise the country and yet people are
living in fear for their lives which implies that people are having a low standard of living.
5. It does not consider the quality of goods produced. Per capital income may be high because
of production and consumption of poor quality goods means that the people are
experiencing a low standard of living.
6. It does not take into account price levels. Per capita income may be high because of high level
of inflation in the country that exaggerates implying that in actual sense people have a low
standard of because of the high cost of living/low purchasing power.
(a) What are the limitations of using per capita income to compare welfare/standard of living of
people in a country over time?
(b) Limitations of using per capita income to compare standard of living of people in a country
over time
1. It does not take into account changes in income distribution over time. Per capita income
may be high in one period but when there is high income inequality meaning that majority are
not able to purchase goods and services and low in another period when but there is
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 220
equitable distribution of income implying that there are many people who can afford goods
and therefore a high standard of living.
2. It does not consider changes in nature of goods over time. Per capita income may be high
when capital goods that do not improve peoples‟ welfare directly are produced implying a
low standard of living but low in another period when consumer goods that improve peoples‟
welfare are produced implying a high standard of living.
3. It does not consider changes in the amount of leisure foregone over time. Per capita income
may be high in one period when people are over worked and do not have time for leisure
meaning that they have poor health and low in another period when people are enjoying
leisure and therefore having a high standard of living.
4. It does not take into account changes of working conditions over time. Per capita income
may be high in one period but when employees are subjected to poor working conditions and
thus a low standard of living and per capita income may be low in another period but when
employees are experiencing good working conditions thus a better standard of living.
5. It does not consider changes in expenditure pattern of government over time. Per capita
income may be high in one period when government expenditure is on nonessential goods
implying a low standard of living but low in another period yet government expenditure is on
essential goods that improve peoples‟ welfare hence a high standard of living.
6. It does not consider the changes in the quality of goods produced over time. In one period
per capita income may be high when there is mass production of poor quality goods hence a
low standard of living but low in another period when good quality goods are produced
implying a better standard of living.
7. It does not consider changes in accuracy of statistical data over time. In one period per
capita income may be high because of under estimating population figures but low in another
when there were accurate population figures.
8. It does not put into account the changes of taxation level over time. Per capita income may
be high in one period when high taxes are imposed on people implying low disposable
income and low standard of living and in other period per capita income is low when low taxes
Explain the problems of using per capita income to compare standard of living between countries
Problems of using national income and per capita income figures for comparison between
countries
Both national income and per capita figures are not definite indicators of economic welfare of the
people of a country. National income figures are aggregates while per capita figures are averages and
so problems that may arise in using these figures for comparison are:
1. It does not take into account differences in inaccurate estimates of population. A large national
income figure does not necessarily imply a high standard of living because population figures of
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
This refers to the distribution of income among the various social groups or between citizens within a
country. The resources may be equally distributed or inequitably distributed (income inequality).
Income equality
This is a state of imbalance in resource allocation and or ownership. It is a situation where there is
inequitable distribution of wealth such that there exist the very rich and the very poor in society.
The nature of inequality is such that it may exist between individuals, regions, sectors r with in a given
sector of the economy.
Types of inequalities
Measuring inequality
To measure inequality in country and measure this phenomenon among countries more accurately,
economists use the Lorenz curves and Gini indices.
This is a graph which shows overall distribution of income among the population. It shows the
percentage of GNP allocated to any percentage of the population as illustrated below:
GNP
50
10
A 50 Percentage of population
The gini index is more convenient when the task is to compare income inequality between many
countries. The index is calculated as the area between the Lorenz curve and line of perfect
equality expressed as a percentage of the triangle under line OA. The gini index of 0 (zero)
represents perfect equality while that f 100% implies perfect inequality.
1. Differences in resource endowment. Areas that are endowed with resources e.g. land,
climate have higher and fairer distribution of income than those areas with limited natural
resources because people tap them and get income.
1. It leads to under development. This is because the poor have limited capital to invest in the
productive activities.
2. It leads to small market. With the poor dominating there is low aggregate demand and thus the
low levels of investment and development.
3. It encourages brain drain. The poor people are encouraged to live the country to find the better
opportunities elsewhere as a result the economy loses a lot of human capital for development.
4. It creates and encourages rural and urban migration resulting into social economic problems
such as decline in agricultural production in rural areas neglect of families etc.
Measures that have been adopted to minimise uneven distribution of income in Uganda
1. Introduced Education reforms. There has been improvement in the education system through
expansion of facilities that allow many have access to education and this has improved skills of
individuals enabling get jobs.
2. Reformed the land tenure system. This has made it easy for individuals and investors to access
land for production purposes thus increasing earnings.
3. Progressive taxation. Progressive taxes such as P.A.Y.E have been used with the rich paying
more than the poor and money obtained used to subsidise the poor.
In this sub topic attention is given to the factors that determine the level of income in an economy and
how equilibrium income level is attained in an economy. In order to understand this better, the factors
that determine income and possibly the factors that influence the equilibrium level of income shall be
considered.
A closed economy is one that is not involved in international trade. It is one that is self-reliant and has
no foreign interference. In a closed economy without government participation the main factors that
determine the country‟s income level are Consumption (C), Savings (S), and Investment (I). This means
that the country‟s income can be used for consumption or savings.
Savings are leakages. Leakages are elements that reduce the circular flow of national income.
An open economy
This is one in which there exists government intervention and an economy participates in international
trade. The country‟s income level can be determined by consumption spending by all households (C),
savings (S), taxation (T), import expenditure (M), and capital outflow, government expenditure (G),
investment (I), and export earnings (X).
Injections
Leakages injections
Taxes Investment
Investment
Import expenditure
Government expenditure
Capital outflow
Capital inflow
According to the classical economists, equilibrium income is attained at the level where Aggregate
demand (AD) is equal to Aggregate supply. i.e. at this point of equilibrium the economy is at full
employment. The classical economists believed that at equilibrium income level leakages are equal to
injections and since resources are automatically fully employed there is no need for government
intervention.
However Keynes disagrees with the classical economists. He says that full employment level of income
may not necessarily be equal to equilibrium income level. He says that:
1. Full employment level of income may be equal to equilibrium income level (Y f=Ye).
2. Full employment level may be greater than equilibrium income level thus giving rise to a
deflationary gap.
3. Full employment level of resources may be less than the equilibrium level of income thus
giving rise to an inflationary gap.
The above two possibilities (ii and iii) indicates the need for government intervention to bring the
economy to general equilibrium. Disequilibrium in an economy is expressed by inflationary and
deflationary gaps.
This is a situation in an economy where aggregate supply exceeds aggregate demand at full
employment level of national income. In other words aggregate demand is not sufficient to generate
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 235
full employment level of production. I.e. realised investment is greater than demand and this leads to
unconsumed goods/inventory accumulation
Aggregate d demand E AD = C + I +
G + (x – m
0 ye yf National income
Point E is at equilibrium level of income but since it is less than full employment level of income it
means that some resources are idle (unemployed). This point can also be called the unemployment
equilibrium. The deflationary gap can be reduced by increasing aggregate demand. The policies that
government can be used to close the deflationary gap include:
This is a situation in an economy where aggregate demand is exceeds aggregate supply at full
employment of income. It means that realized investment is less than actual demand implying that
what is supplied is not enough. This will result into inflation. The inflationary is as illustrated below:
Aggregate supply AS
&
Aggregate demand AD = C + I +
G + (x – m
Saving refers to the act of abstaining from current consumption to create funds for future use.
Whereas
Savings refer to the proportion of income which is not spent on current consumption but set
aside for future use.
1. Level of income. The higher the income the higher the savings and the lower the income the
lower the savings.
2. The rate of inflation/The price level. A high rate of inflation leads to low savings because
individuals spend more of their income on goods and services while low rate of inflation leads
to low spending hence higher savings.
3. The government policy on savings. A favourable policy leads to high savings such as
encouraging saving and cooperative organizations while an unfavorable policy leads to low
savings
4. The interest rate. A low rate of interest on savings leads to low savings because people are not
attracted by financial institutions while a high interest attracts people to save hence high
savings.
5. The people‟s spending habits. The high the spending the lower the savings because there is less
money left while a low level of spending leaves one with more money to save.
6. The level of development of commercial banks and other infrastructure or institutions.
7. The population growth rate. A high population growth leads to low savings since much of the
income is used to purchase goods while low population growth rate leads to high savings since
there is less spent on goods and services.
8. The degree of monetisation/Commercialisation of the economy.
9. The degree accountability in the financial sector. Low level of accountability discourages people
from saving thus low savings and vice versa.
10. The level of taxation and subsidization. High taxation leaves one with low income hence low
savings while low taxes lead to high incomes of individuals hence high savings
11. The existing stock of wealth.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 239
12. The marginal propensity to save/The marginal propensity to consume.
CONSUMPTION
Consumption refers to the act of using a commodity or resource to satisfy ones needs.
1. Level of disposable income. High level of income means a higher purchasing power hence high
level of consumption and when the income level is low the purchasing power is low hence low
level of consumption.
2. Availability of goods and services. Scarcity of goods and services brings about low consumption
levels and vice versa.
3. Price level/inflation. High prices cause low levels of consumption because of reduced disposable
income which causes low demand while low price lead to high disposable income hence high
consumption.
4. Government policy/taxation and subsidization. High taxes lead to low levels of consumption
because they reduce the purchasing power while subsidization leads to high consumption since
it increases the purchasing power.
5. Tastes and preference. Favourable tastes and preferences lead to high consumption since there
are more consumers while unfavourable tastes lead to low consumption.
6. Demonstration effect. Positive demonstration effect leads to high consumption while negative
demonstration effect leads to low consumption.
7. Population size/size of the market. The bigger the market size the higher the consumption since
there are more consumers and the smaller the size of the market the lower the consumption as
it avails few consumers.
0 200 -200
1200 1200 0
3200 400
This refers to the proportion of total income that is consumed rather than saved. It is given by the
formula:
APC = Total Consumption
Total income
This refers to the proportion of total income that is saved rather than consumed. It is given by the
formula:
Total income
Note: As income increases APC declines because the proportion of income spent on consumption
reduces. APS increases with an increase in income.
APC + APS = 1
This refers to the proportion of change in total income that is saved rather than being saved. It is the
change in consumption due to change in income. It is given by the formula:
This refers to the proportion of change in total income that is saved rather than being saved. It is given
by the formula:
INVESTMENT
OR
Investment refers to the process of devoting a person‟s or nation‟s income to creation of capital
stock/capital goods.
1. Offering of investment incentives e.g. tax holidays. These are reducing the cost of production
and therefore attract more investors.
2. Building of strong and sound infrastructural facilities. These make it easy to access markets of
inputs and final goods and reduce the cost of production.
3. Ensuring peace and political stability in the country. The use of democracy in governance is
assuring investors of security for life and property and thus attracting more investment.
4. Privatising government enterprises. This is ensuring a competitive atmosphere with in the
business community and thus attracting more investors.
5. Encouraging savings. The government is encouraging individuals to save so that they
accumulate capital to purchase inputs for investment purposes
6. Reducing conservatism through sensitization. People are being sensitized to adopt new
techniques of production so that they realise more output, earn and invest more.
7. Encouraging technological development. Technological development is being encouraged so
that there is an improvement in efficiency in production so more output causes an increase in
profits and thus more investment.
MULTIPLIERS
The multiplier refers to the number of times an initial change in expenditure multiplies itself to give a
final change in (national) income.
Example: Given the MPC is 4/5 and the initial expenditure is shs 10,000 shillings.
Calculate the:
i. The multiplier,
ii. The final income.
Solution
a. Multiplier = 1/1-MPC
= 1/1-4/5
= 5 times
= 50,000 shillings
Types of multipliers
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 248
There are various types of multipliers namely:
1. The income/consumption multiplier. This refers to the number of times the initial change in
consumption expenditure multiplies itself to generate a final change in national income.
Income multiplier = change in income
2. Government expenditure multiplier. This refers to the number of times by which initial change in
government expenditure multiplies itself to generate a final change in national income.
Government expenditure multiplier = change in income
Change in government expenditure
3. Tax multiplier. This refers to the number of times the change in taxation multiplies itself to give a
final change in national income. Tax multiplier = change in income
Change in taxation
4. Export multiplier. This refers to the number of times change in export earnings multiplies itself
to give a final change national income.
Export multiplier = change in income
Change in exports (earnings)
Marginal propensity to export. This refers to the proportion of the additional income realised
from exports.
5. Import multiplier. This refers to the number of times the initial change in import expenditure
multiplies itself to bring about a final change in national income. Import multiplier = change in
income
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 249
Change in import expenditure
Marginal propensity to import. This refers to the proportion of additional income that is spent
on imports.
Marginal propensity to import = change in imports
Change in import expenditure
6. Investment multiplier. This refers to the number of times by which a given change in investment
expenditure multiplies itself to generate a final change in national income. Investment multiplier
= change in income
Factors that affect the effective operation of the investment multiplier in LDCs/Uganda
1. The rate of interest on capital. A low rate of interest on borrowed capital leads to a high level of
investment because individuals have funds to finance the purchase of inputs while a high
interest rate on borrowed capital causes a low level of investment because individuals are
discouraged to borrow to finance the purchase of inputs.
2. Changes in technology/level of technology. A high level of technology leads to high level of
investment because high level of efficiency in production and profits realised while when the
technology is poor there is low efficiency and hence a low level of investment.
3. Political situation in the country. Political instability leads to low level of investment because it
scares investors because they fear for their lives and property while a peaceful environment
attracts investors since there is limited threat to life and property.
4. Level of development of infrastructure. Well developed infrastructures lead to high level of
investment because they make it easy to access input and product markets easily and reduce
production cost etc. while poorly developed infrastructures make accessibility to markets
difficult, increase production costs hence low level of investment.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 250
5. Level of income. Low level of income causes a low level of investment because one has limited
funds to purchase raw materials, pay labour etc. while a high level of income leads to high
investment because of the availability of funds to purchase inputs, tec.
6. Size of the market/population size/consumption level. A big population size encourages
investment because it provides more profits while a small population size leads to low
investment because there less profits realised by the investors.
7. The supply of raw materials. Limited supply of raw materials causes a low level of investment
because of the high cost of production while presence of raw materials causes a high level of
investment because of the low cost involved in acquiring them.
8. The quality of labour force. Of Presence of a high supply skilled labour encourages investment
because there is high efficiency in production and limited supply of skilled labour causes a low
level of investment because of the low level of efficiency.
9. Level of entrepreneurship. Poor entrepreneurship skills lead to low level of investment because
the low ability to mobilise resources for investment while good entrepreneurship skills result in
to better resource mobilization and business management hence a high level of investment.
10. Government investment policies. A favourable policy in form of low taxes, subsidisation of
producers, etc. leads to high level of investment because they lead to low production costs on
the other hand an unfavourable policy in form of high taxes, limited subsidisation leads to high
production cost hence low level of investment.
11. Level of savings. A low level of savings causes a low of investment because there is low capital
accumulation to hire factors of production while a high level of savings causes a high level of
capital accumulation leading to high ability to hire factors of production hence higher level of
investment.
12. Existing stock of capital. The higher the stock of capital the higher the level of investment since
the higher efficiency in production and when the stock of capital is low there is low efficiency in
production hence low level of investment.
13. Prevailing economic conditions e.g. inflation, unemployment, etc. A high level of inflation leads
to low level of investment because it leads to high production costs while a low level of inflation
leads to leads to a high level of investment because it is associated with low production costs.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 251
14. Degree of conservatism. A high level of conservatism causes a low of investment because
individuals are reluctant to commit resources to into the production process while a low level of
conservatism causes a high level of investment because individuals are willing to commit
resources into the production process.
15. The population growth rate. A high population growth rate cause low level of savings since
much of the income is spent on purchasing goods and services hence a low level of investment
and when the population growth rate is low there is a higher level of savings and therefore
more funds for investment since there is a low level of consumption.
16. Degree of liquidity preference. A high level of liquidity preference causes a low level of
investment because individuals are not willing to commit resources into the production process
while a low level of liquidity preference cause a high level of investment because individuals are
will to commit funds to into the production process.
17. Marginal propensity to import. A high marginal propensity to import causes a low level of
investment to since there is low demand for locally produced goods and therefore low profits
and a low level of liquidity preference causes a high level of investment because there is high
demand for goods locally and investors are assured of high profits.
18. Capital inflows/outflows. A high rate of capital inflow leads to a high level of investment
because it because it avails capital to purchase inputs and other requirements for investment on
the other hand a low rate of capital inflow leads to a low investment because there is less capital
to purchase inputs and other equipment.
19. Nature of land tenure system. A poor land tenure system makes acquisition of land for
investment difficult/expensive and therefore causes a low level of investment while a favourable
land tenure system leads to high level of investment because it makes acquisition of land for
investment easy.
20. Existing natural resources. The presence of more natural resources results into a high level of
investment because of increased availability of inputs for firms while when the natural resources
are not resources are few there is a low level of investment because of limited availability of
inputs for the firms.
This refers to the number of times the initial change in consumption expenditure multiplies itself to
bring about a change in investment.
Change in consumption
Example: The increase in consumption of sugar from 500kgs to 800kgs caused an increase in
investment from shs. 50,000 to shs. 90,000: calculate the accelerator principle.
Change in consumption
= 90,000 – 50,000
800 – 500
= 133.33 times
Worked examples
Example 1
1-MPC
=1
1-0.7
= 3.33 times
= 3.33 X 50m
= 166.5m shillings
Example 2
MPS
=1
0.2
= 5 times
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 254
Change in income = Multiplier X increase in investment
= 5 X 50
= 250m shillings
Example 3
This refers to the fluctuations in the general economic level in an economy e.g. aggregate demand,
income, output, the price level etc. as shown below
PRICE INDICES
Index numbers measure changes in certain variables from one period to another e.g. wholesale prices,
GDP etc.
Price index refers to a figure which measures relative changes in prices of some selected goods from
one period to another.
This measures the relative changes in prices of consumer goods from one period to another.
a) Choosing a base year. This must be a year when prices were relatively stable.
b) Selecting a representative basket of goods and services. These are goods commonly consumed
in the area.
e) Computing the average simple (price) index/price relative using the formula Average simple
index = Ʃ (sum) simple price index for each commodity
Number of commodities
f) Attaching weights to the commodities in the basket. Weights show which commodities are
more important to the consumers than others.
g) Calculating the weighted index for each commodity using the formula: Weighted index = price
relative/simple price index X weight.
h) Calculating the average weighted index:
Average weighted index = Ʃ (sum) weighted index/simple index X weight
Ʃ (sum) of weight
The figure obtained helps in determining the cost of living which influences the standard of
living. Therefore when the figure obtained is greater than 100, subtract 100 from it e.g. 155.5 –
100 = 55.5 this means generally prices increased by 55.5%.
This means that there was an increase in the cost of living (inflation) and a decline in the
standard of living.
When the figure obtained is less than 100 e.g. 80, subtract it from100 e.g. 100 – 80 = 20. This
implies that there was a fall in the cost of living (deflation) and therefore an improvement in the
standard of living.
Study the table below and answer the questions that follow:
Commodity Average price Simple index Average weight
kg/litres 1995 (Ugx) 1995 price
1998 (Ugx)
Sugar 800 100 1000 3
4. They help in the comparison of the cost of living within a country over time
5. They help in the comparison of the cost of living between countries at a time. The figure of one
country is compared with that of another to establish which one is performing better.
6. They help in determining tax rates/levels. When the cost of living is high government may have
to reduce indirect taxes to enable producers charge low prices so as to reduce the cost of living.
7. They are used to measure the terms of trade of a country.
1. Difficulty of getting a suitable base year. It is not easy to get a year when prices were stable
because of fluctuations in prices brought about by natural factors, political instabilities etc.
2. There is difficulty in selecting a representative basket of goods and services. This is because
different people have different tastes and preferences.
3. Difficulty in attaching weights to goods and services. This is because of the differences in tastes
and preferences, income levels, etc. therefore weights do not reflect the importance attached to
commodities by all consumers.
4. Changes in the level of prices over time/price instability. Price instabilities make it difficult to
have standard prices for the commodities in the computing and base year.
5. Limited data/information. Some individuals do not have proper records of quantities sold and
their prices which make it difficult to determine the quantities consumed and their respective
prices.
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6. Changes in tastes and preferences. This is because of differences in income, culture etc and this
complicates the process of selecting a reliable basket of goods and services.
7. Emergence of new products and exist of old ones from this the market. This complicates the
selection of a suitable basket of goods and services.
8. Absence of standard weights and measures e.g. some commodities are sold in tin, baskets,
heaps, etc. This makes it difficult to determine the quantity consumed and expenditure on such
commodities.
9. There is absence of standard prices in the same area. This is due to bargaining, breakdown of
infrastructure, etc.
10. Limited skilled labour. This makes the computation, analysis and interpretation difficult.
11. Limited facilities. This makes the collection, processing and storage of data difficult.
12. Quality improvements usually affect prices of goods. This therefore gives the impression that
prices have gone up/inflation which may not be the case.
MONEY
Money refers to anything which is generally acceptable for the settlement of debts and obligations.
Money is legal tender and everyone in the country concerned is bound to accept it in the settlement
of debts.
FUNCTIONS OF MONEY
1. Medium of exchange. Money makes it possible to determine the value of goods to be
exchanged.
2. Money is a unit of account. Money helps in effecting business calculations especially
accounting and auditing.
3. Measure of value. Money is a measuring unit to assess the relative value of different
commodities. A high money price attach to a commodity may reflect its value.
4. Store of wealth. Money can be used as a store of wealth because it is not bulky and it is not
perishable.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 262
5. Means of differed payment. Money facilitates payment of debts and transactions to some
future date.
6. It is a means of transferring immovable assets e.g. land
Types of money
1. Commodity money. These are articles or goods used as medium of exchange because of their
intrinsic value or their ability to satisfy human wants e.g. travellers‟ cheques.
2. Metallic money. This refers to money in form of coins and it is divided into two:
a) Standard/fully branded money. These are coins where the intrinsic value is equal to face
value.
b) Coins whose value is less than the face value – token money.
3. Paper money. This includes the following:
a) Currency. It is the money stock of a country which includes foreign currencies.
b) Fiduciary issue. This is money issued by the central bank at its discretion and is not
backed by gold or foreign reserves but by government securities.
c) Quasi money. This refers to (financial) assets which can easily be converted into money
but they are not money themselves. E.g. treasury bills, bonds, cheques etc.
d) Managed currency. This is the currency which is used only within the territorial boundary
of the country. E.g. Ugandan shillings.
e) Fiat money. Money printed by the central bank on government orders and is not backed
by government securities, gold reserves or foreign reserves.
f) Representative paper money. This refers to money which is fully backed by gold or hard
currencies.
g) Convertible paper money. This refers to money can readily be changed into the other
currencies e.g. US dollar, pound sterling, etc.
h) Inconvertible paper money. This is the type of paper money which cannot be readily
converted or exchanged for other currencies.
MONEY SUPPLY
Money supply refers to the quantity or volume of money in circulation in the whole economy at
a particular time.
1. Broad money supply refers to the sum of that amount of money in the hands of the public plus
all the deposits within commercial banks and other saving institutions or schemes.
2. Narrow money supply is the sum of money in the hands of the public plus the amount in
current accounts in commercial banks.
3. Exogenous money supply is the sum of money which is fixed and determined by the printing
authority e.g. the Central Bank. It is also called discretionary money supply.
4. Endogenous money supply is one determined by the level of economic activity in the country. It
is also called automatic money supply.
1. Government monetary policy. A restrictive monetary policy leads to low supply of money in
circulation while an expansionary monetary policy leads to high supply of money.
2. Level of liquidity preference. High level of liquidity preference leads to low supply of money
since it is not in circulation while when liquidity preference is low more money is in circulation
hence high supply of money.
3. Interest rates. High rates of interest lead to low supply of money because they discourage
borrowing from financial institutions while a low rate of interest encourages borrowing hence
high supply of money.
The quantity theory of money was put forward Professor Irving Fisher. The theory states that, an
increase in money supply will lead to appropriate change in general price level provided the
velocity of circulation and the level of transactions are held constant.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 265
This leads to the equation of exchange which is MV=PT or P=MV
T
1. It assumes that prices are constant and that they change when there is an increase in money
supply. This is not true for the case of Africa as inflation is rampant and caused by a number of
factors e.g. cost push, poor infrastructure etc.
2. It only recognises the transactions motive of holding money and neglects other motives like,
precautionary and speculative motives.
3. It assumes general price level yet there is no general price level but rather a series of prices.
4. The theory tries to explain changes in the value of money but not how the value is determined.
5. The theory is not regard as an adequate theory of demand for money because it does not take
into account the influence of the rate of interest. It is therefore incomplete without reference to
the rate of interest.
6. The variables in the equation MV=PT are not independent of one another because a change in
one induces a change in others.
7. It assumes that all business transactions are carried out with the use of money and ignores the
possibilities of barter trade.
8. The theory emphasises the supply of money and ignores the demand for money.
9. It assumes that the velocity of circulation and level of transactions are constant which is not the
case in real life situation as some people hold cash either in savings or in their homes etc. and
this reduces the velocity of circulation.
10. Haggling between buyers and sellers to reach an agreeable price is not taken into
consideration.
11. When output increases and employment expands, money supply may increase without
affecting price levels.
12. The theory assumes full employment of resources in an economy yet there may be rampant
unemployment. I.e. it is very difficult to attain full employment.
NB: The term value for money refers to the amount of goods and services a unit of money can
buy.
Or
Value of money refers to the purchasing power of a unit of money.
Liquidity preference or demand for money refers to the desire or willingness of people or the
public to hold assets or wealth in form of cash or near cash.
The reasons why people demand / hold money are explained by the Keynesian theory known as
Liquidity Preference Theory.
Lord Maynard Keynes identified the following motives for holding money:
1. The transactions motive. This refers to the holding of money to meet the day to day business
obligations such as buying food, clothes etc. This motive is influenced by:
a) The price level
b) The income level
c) The rate of interest
d) The need to fulfil other motives
e) Availability of goods and services
2. The precautionary motive. Money in this case is held to meet or solve unforeseen or
unexpected events that may require unforeseen expenditure e.g. illness, visitors etc. Money held
for this motive depends on:
a) The level of income
b) The possibility of borrowing at short notice
c) The ability to anticipate unforeseen events
d) The rate at which income is received
3. The speculative motive. According to this motive, money is held to make profits through
speculation. The major determinant of this motive is the rate of interest on securities (bonds
and treasury bills). a) The level of income.
b) The possibility of borrowing at short notice.
c) The ability to anticipate unforeseen events.
d) The rate at which income is received.
BANKING
Financial intermediaries
These are financial institutions that bring together borrowers and lenders. They are of two types:
banking and non-banking financial intermediaries.
COMMERCIAL BANKING
Commercial banks are institutions that deal in credit or borrowed funds. The main aim of
commercial banks is to maximise profits.
1. They assist the government in executing monetary policy designed to control supply of money in
order to bring about economic stability.
2. They facilitate the process of capital formation through mobilisation of savings which are
important for investment and economic development.
3. They advance loans and over drafts to credit worthy customers who use this money to start
production enterprises hence increasing the rate of economic growth.
4. Commercial banks participate in direct investment activities and this increases the rate of economic
growth.
5. They generate employment opportunities through their various branches and business ventures
and as a result people are able to earn a living.
6. They act as a source of government revenue because they pay taxes.
7. They offer diversified and specialised services that are highly necessary for people‟s welfare
e.g. acting as trustees, providing safe custody for valuable items, etc.
8. They facilitate development of infrastructure such as transport and communication etc. and these
support other economic activities in the country.
9. Commercial banks promote development of international trade through money transfer providing
foreign exchange through their bureaus.
1. The low level of income among the masses and as a result many of the people do not have
sufficient incomes to save with the banks and thus low bank deposits.
2. The high level of illiteracy/ignorance results in to limited use of bank services/most people do not
take advantage of banking services.
3. Poor distribution of banks with most of them being urban based leaving the rural areas unattended
to. Furthermore the banks concentrated in urban areas compete for the few customers.
4. Unfavourable government policy of high taxation. This causes a high cost of operation and
therefore low profits.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 274
5. Uncalled for government interference in the advance of loans, appointment of managers. This
makes running and recovery of loans difficult.
6. Political instability in some parts of the country minimises the smooth running of the banks as the
level of economic activities is low.
7. High liquidity preference makes. This results into limited savings in the banks.
8. Political instability. This limits operations of banks in some areas as there is fear of losing life and
property.
9. High rate of inflation. This raises the cost of operations of banks and reduces the profits.
10. Poor infrastructure. This makes accessibility to some areas difficult and also raises the cost of
operation hence low profits.
11. High degree of corruption. This reduces funds available ending in commercial banks.
12. There is high liquidity preference. This results into a small number of people making deposits
hence limited funds for lending by commercial banks.
13. Limited skilled manpower. This causes inefficiency in the banking sector.
14. High rate of inflation. This causes a high cost of operation and also makes lending expensive
because it causes an increase in the rate of interest.
15. Poorly developed infrastructure.
CREDIT
Credit refers to the facility which enables individuals to acquire goods and services without
immediate cash payment but with a promise to pay at a later date.
Or
It refers to any borrowed facilities or funds/money by deficit spending units.
Instruments of credit
These are written document which guarantee payment in the near future and give holders
rights over money. They are documents which promise future payment and the holders can
receive value out of them e.g. cheques/post-dated cheques, promissory notes, bills of
exchange, bank drafts, credit cards, debentures, letters of credit etc.
CREDIT CREATION
This is the process by which money lent out by commercial banks using the cheque facility
expands to result into greater volume of credit than the original amount deposited.
= 100,000 X 5
= 500,000/=
Total deposit = B1 + B2 + B3 + B4 + ………… Question: How do
commercial banks create credit?
Sample question:
How do commercial banks create credit in your country (illustrate your answer)
MONETARY POLICY
This refers to the deliberate attempt by the government through the central bank to regulate the
amount of money in circulation so as to attain objectives of development. These include; balance of
payment, price stability, full employment etc.
1. To influence the rate of economic growth. Increasing the bank rate causes an increase in the rate of
interest charged by commercial banks on borrowers and this discourages borrowing for
investment purposes hence a low rate of economic growth as it increases the cost of production. A
low bank rate causes commercial banks to charge low rate of interest on client
and this encourages borrowing for investment since the cost of production is and this results into a
high rate of economic growth.
2. To maintain domestic price stability. Selling of securities to the public by government reduces the
amount of money in circulation which in turn leaves the pubic with less money to spend on goods
and services and this brings down the prices. To increase prices the government buys securities
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 286
from the public which increases the amount of money in circulation and therefore increases
aggregate demand and prices increase.
3. To achieve full employment. When the government lowers the bank rate commercial banks charge
a low rate of interest on borrowers and this reduces the cost of production and encourages more
investment and therefore more employment opportunities. While increasing the bank rate
increases the cost of borrowing by commercial banks which in turn charge a high rate of interest
on borrowers and this causes a low rate of investment because it increases the cost of production
and there is low level of employment.
4. To influence the balance of payment position (BOP). The central may call for selective credit control
which makes it hard for imports to get credit and this reduces importation of commodities into the
country which improves the BOP position due to reduced foreign exchange expenditure.
5. To ensure a stable foreign exchange rate. The government achieves this by selling and buying
foreign currencies. Selling foreign currencies reduces the exchange rate and buying the foreign
currencies increases the exchange rate.
6. To encourage the growth of the financial sector. In this case the central bank supervises and
regulates commercial banks to ensure that there is sound performance.
7. To influence the level and nature of investment. Raising the bank rate reduces borrowing by
commercial banks from the central and this in turn causes commercial banks to charge a high rate
of interest which results into a low level of investment because it increases the cost of production.
Reducing the bank rate causes commercial banks to increase borrowing from the central bank and
they in turn charge a low rate of interest on borrows which increases investment because it reduces
the cost of borrowing.
8. To influence the interest rates. When the central bank raises the bank rate commercial banks
charge a high rate of interest on borrows since they have borrowed expensively and when the bank
rate is reduced the commercial banks charge a low rate of interest since they have borrowed
cheaply.
1. The presence of under developed money markets. This limits the buying and selling of government
securities.
2. Ignorance of the public of open market operations. Many members of the public are not aware of
how the money markets operate and therefore this limits the buying of government securities.
Inflation refers to the persistent increase in the general price level in an economy. It is a situation
where there is a continuous decline in the value of money as measured by the price index.
Previous price
1. Demand pull/excessive demand inflation. This is where the persistent increase in the general
price level is as result of aggregate demand exceeding aggregate supply in and economy. It is
usually associated with conditions of full employment when an economy is operating at full
capacity with no further increase in output and supply cannot increase to satisfy the available
demand.
Causes of demand pull inflation
1. Increased demand for exports which increase export earnings increase the supply of money in
an economy as well as the purchasing power of individuals.
2. Decrease in direct taxation which increases peoples‟ purchasing power.
3. Excessive capital inflow e.g. grants, aid etc. which when exchanged into the local currency
increases the supply of money.
4. Excessive supply of money due to printing of money.
5. Excessive spending by the government for example on wages, subsidies, etc.
6. An expansionary monetary policy in form of reduced interest rate, etc.
2. Cost push inflation. This is when the persistent increase in the general price level is as a result of
persistent increase in the cost of production e.g. wages, rent, cost of raw materials.
Causes of cost push inflation are:
1.Subsidisation of producers which goes a long way to reduce the cost of production.
2.Reducing taxes on producers.
3.Encouraging importation of scarce commodities from cheaper sources.
4.Wage legislation by the government.
5.Controlling production units by government-nationalisation of enterprises producing essential
commodities.
Imported inflation
This is where the persistent increase in the general price level results from importing commodities
from inflation prone countries; resulting into price increment in the domestic economy. Such goods
imported may include machinery, fuel products, raw materials, etc.
Bottleneck/structural inflation
1. Political instability. It scars away potential investors due to the fear to lose life and property and
destroys production units thus causing shortage of goods.
2. Infrastructural breakdown. This increases the cost of production due high level of wear and
tear/depreciation.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 295
3. Break down of key industry. There is decline in production which causes shortage of goods and
services.
4. Natural hazards. These destroy crops in the agriculture sector which cause scarcity and thus
increase in prices.
5. Hoarding of goods by traders. This causes artificial shortage of goods and thus increases prices.
6. Scarcity of inputs/scarcity of raw materials/natural resources. This causes an increase in the cost
of production due to shortage.
7. Foreign exchange shortages. This causes the depreciation of the local currency and results into
increase in prices for those goods with a high imported raw material component.
Expectation inflation
This is where the persistent increase in the general price level results from speculation by the
businessmen. This is caused by announcements in the media about say increase in the salaries of civil
servants.
This is where the persistent increase in general price level is caused by the excessive issuance of
currency/ excessive government borrowing from the central bank/.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION
1. Mild inflation stimulates effort/hard work. People have to cope with the increasing cost of living
or maintain their standard of living by putting in extra hours of work.
2. It stimulates investment/entrepreneurship. The gradual increase of prices increases profits and
this increases the level of entrepreneurship.
3. More employment opportunities are created. This is because of increased
investment/establishment of firms that provide jobs.
4. Increased government revenue is realised. This is due to the increase in economic activities that
are taxed.
5. It encourages innovativeness and creativity. As the cost of living increases people try out
different businesses to get means of survival.
6. Borrowers gain in real terms. This is because at the time of borrowing the purchasing power of
money is higher than at the time of paying back.
7. It promotes forced savings. The inflation causes individuals to save so that they are able to
accumulate income and be in position to buy goods at later stage.
8. It encourages labour mobility especially by the young who are looking for means of survival and
these avail labour to different parts of the economy.
9. Leads to increased resource utilisation. The gradual increase in prices causes an increase in
profits which encourage establishment of more firms that utilise the available resources.
10. Mild inflation increases the level of output and thus stimulates growth.
11. It leads to higher profits/business gains. A slight increase in the price of the commodity greatly
increases the gains of the producer.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 297
12. It encourages the establishment of import substitution industries which promotes selfreliance.
As prices rise government encourages establishment of industries to reduce imported inflation.
1. Savings are discouraged. This is because individuals do not see the benefits of saving yet the
money loses value over time.
2. It causes loss of confidence in the local currency. Some people prefer to use other currencies
like the dollars because of their steady value and purchasing power.
3. Fixed income earners suffer. This is because the increase in prices is not matched by an increase
in wages therefore the real wage reduces.
4. Inflation worsens the balance of payment problem. It encourages the importation of cheaper
commodities while exports are expensive.
5. The problem of income inequality worsens. During inflation production is manageable by few
individuals who earn higher profits at the expense of the majority.
6. Lending is discouraged. This is because creditors get less in real terms.
7. It leads to brain drain. Employees who are hard pressed find employment in other countries
which leads to loss of human capital.
8. Unemployment results. Some firms lay off some employees to reduce the cost of production. It
is also as result of some firms closing down due to the manageable/high cost of production.
9. High inflation rates make planning difficult. Plans have to be revised from time to time which
causes unnecessary delays in implementation.
10. It leads to production and consumption of low quality/inferior goods. To reduce the cost of
production some firms reduce ingredients or use cheaper alternatives hence production of low
quality products.
11. Inflation encourages malpractices such as smuggling, corruption, black market, etc. since
people try to survive by any means.
1. Rising cost of production e.g. rising wages, interest rates, fuel prices. The producers raise prices
of goods to off-set the cost of producing goods and services.
2. Importation of commodities from inflation prone countries. Commodities get into the country
at high prices since other costs are added such as transport costs, insurance etc. These cause
increase in prices.
3. Unfavourable natural factors. Theses destroy crops and as a result there is scarcity of agricultural
products thus bottleneck inflation.
4. High degree of speculation by the business community e.g. by hoarding goods, speculators
cause artificial scarcity of goods and prices increase.
5. Greed for excess profits by the business community. The profit greedy entrepreneurs increase
prices to gain more profits.
1. Increasing direct taxation. This is reducing peoples‟ disposable income and therefore reducing
the demand for goods and services causing a fall in prices.
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2. Reducing government expenditure on provision of non-essential goods. This is reducing the
amount of money in circulation which is reducing the purchasing power and thus a reducing the
aggregate demand for goods and services.
3. Liberalising economy to increase production. This is encouraging increased participation of
individuals in production of goods and services due to the competition and is therefore
reducing shortage of goods and services/increasing the aggregate supply of goods.
4. Privatising public enterprises. This increases efficiency in production causing an increase in the
supply of goods and services thus solving bottleneck inflation.
5. Providing tax incentives to investors. These encourage investment since they reduce the cost of
production which enables producers increase output on the market thus solving scarcity of
goods and services.
6. Developing infrastructure. This is reducing the cost of production and therefore enabling
producers to increase output and therefore overcoming scarcity of goods.
7. Controlling issuance of currency. This reduces the amount of money in circulation checks
peoples spending power and therefore reduces demand for goods and this helps to bring down
the prices.
8. Encouraging importation of commodities from cheaper sources. This is enabling the country get
goods at fair prices and therefore checking imported inflation.
9. Modernising agriculture. This is reducing reliance on natural factors ensuring continuous supply
of food and enabling the economy to eliminate scarcity thus resulting into a reduction in the
food prices.
10. Tightening monetary policy e.g. sale of government securities. This is reducing the amount of
money in circulation causing a reduction in the purchasing power and aggregate demand for
goods and services
11. Improving the political climate. This is increasing the level of investment and increases
production of goods and services because the investors have security for their lives and
property.
12. Encouraging import substitution industries. These check the importation of goods from abroad
and therefore reduce imported inflation.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 301
13. Regulating the exportation of essential goods. This is reducing the scarcity of such goods in the
country and therefore stabilising prices.
14. Reducing government borrowing from the central bank. This is checking the amount of money
in circulation which reduces the purchasing power and reduces the demand for goods and
services.
• Stagflation is a situation where high rates of inflation co-exist with high levels of
unemployment and stagnant output.
• Deflation refers to persistent decrease in price of goods and services in a country.
UNEMPLOYMENT
This is a situation where some members of the labour force/working age 16-64 years fail to obtain
jobs at the ruling market wage rate despite their willingness to work. Unemployment can either be
voluntary or involuntary.
This is a situation where jobs are available but some members of the labour force are not willing to
take up jobs at the ruling market wage rate.
1. A low wage rate that is unacceptable to the employee and therefore one would rather remain
unemployed.
2. Good economic background or where one has a wealthy background. Some people are born in
rich families where everything needed for their survival is available and therefore they see no need
as to why they should work.
3. Expectation of a better job in future. One remains unemployed in the short term as he/she awaits
the promised job that is better than the current one.
4. The preference for leisure. Some people cannot afford to miss out on leisure and therefore forego
work.
5. Poor working conditions at the available job/occupation. Poor working conditions discourage
some individuals from taking up some jobs because they consider them harmful to their
health/unacceptable and therefore one prefers to remain unemployed e.g. long hours of work,
harsh treatment, etc.
6. Laziness for some people. Some individuals are reluctant to take up jobs because of their inner
weaknesses.
7. Preference to live on other peoples‟ incomes. Some people are comfortable living on incomes of
other people since there is no effort of own to get such money and it enables them purchase some
necessities.
Involuntary unemployment
This is where some members of the labour force are not able to get jobs at current market wage rate
despite their willingness to work.
The causes of unemployment/involuntary unemployment in Uganda
1. The high population growth rate. In this case the rate of population increase exceeds the rate of
job formation and therefore there is excess supply of labour compared to the available jobs
hence unemployment.
1. Educational reforms. Practical subjects are being encouraged at higher levels of learning so as
to encourage self-employment/reduce the number of job seekers and have more job creators.
2. Ensuring stable political climate. This is being done by ensuring democratic governance,
negotiating with political rivals. This is encouraging investment and increased production since
the investors are assured of security for life and property which leads to creation of jobs
especially in the private sector.
3. Increased advertisement of jobs in the media especially newspapers. This is increasing
awareness about jobs and making it possible for members of the labour force to locate the jobs.
4. Checking the population growth rate. Government is controlling the population growth rate by
encouraging family planning methods so that the number of job seekers matches the available
jobs
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 307
5. Modernisation of agriculture sector. This is through improving techniques in production,
providing extension services. These lead to increase in output in the sector therefore making it
more attractive to a wide number of people in the sector.
6. Widening the market. This involves encouraging regional co-operation so as to expand market
for goods and services thus increasing the demand for labour hence more employment
opportunities.
7. Development of infrastructure. There is construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure to ease
mobility of labour and increase production to generate more employment opportunities since
there is a lower production cost.
8. There is provision of incentives to investors. These are encouraging foreign investors to
establish industries or business ventures that provide employment because they reduce the
cost of production and investment increases more job opportunities are generated.
9. Encouraging diversification of economic activities. There is diversification of the economy where
a number of activities are being promoted so that these activities/sectors absorb many of the
unemployed people.
10. Liberalisation of the economy. The liberalisation of the economy is making it easy for individuals
to start and manage enterprises and in so doing create self employment and also employ
others.
11. Privatisation of former state owned enterprises. Privatisation leads to efficiency in management
of firms since the owners are profit oriented and the expansion of enterprises results into more
job opportunities being generated.
12. The government is reforming the land tenure system so that individuals have greater right on
their land and are able to use it to acquire loans to start income generating activities. It also
makes acquisition of land easy and this encourages investment and production hence
generating more employment opportunities.
13. By providing affordable credit for investment. The government is providing low interest loans so
that people are able to start income generating activities/self employment.
1. It leads to decline in the level of acquired skills. There is a decline in the level of acquired skills
because the failure to put into practice what one studied results into a decline in efficiency and
effectiveness.
2. It increases the dependency burden and therefore worsens the problem of vicious circle of
poverty. This is because the few people who are employed have to support those who are not
employed which increases poverty since there is less money set aside for investment.
3. It results into low production/low GDP hence low economic growth. There is low level of
effective utilisation of resources since there are few people involved in production and therefore
a low rate of economic growth is experienced.
4. Leads to low government revenue. This is because the unemployed do not have the capacity to
pay taxes and since they are few people paying taxes government realises less revenue.
5. It worsens income and wealth inequalities. The unemployed do not have the capacity to start
their own ventures so as to increase their earnings and therefore those who are employed
become rich and the unemployed become poorer.
6. Leads to low aggregate demand for goods and services. Those who are not employed have low
disposable income
7. It leads to brain drain. As some members of the labour force fail to get jobs the move to other
countries and this leads to loss of the skilled manpower which retards economic growth.
8. It increases levels of immorality (crime rate). Those who do not have jobs engage in illegal
activities to earn a living.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 309
9. Leads to increased or high government expenditure as it tries to cater for the population by
providing services when it should be used on productive activities such supporting industries.
10. Leads to social unrest. It creates hatred between the rich or employed and those who are not
employed.
11. Under exploitation of productive resources hence waste. Those who are not employed do not
have the capacity to establish ventures to utilise the available resources.
12. There is misery and low level of living due to low or no incomes. The unemployed have limited
capacity to purchase some of basic necessities.
13. It creates political tension/unrest. Those who do not get jobs blame it on the government and
engage in demonstrations that destabilise the country.
14. It discourages investment in education. When some members of the labour force fail to get jobs
they discourage those in education from continuing since they will not get jobs.
15. It increases rural urban migration and its adverse effects. People move to urban areas expecting
to get better paying jobs and when they fail they resort to acts like theft, robbery, etc.
1. Shortage of co-operant factors. Lack of sufficient capital to expand production so that more
members of the labour force are absorbed.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 310
2. Poor land tenure system for example in areas where land is highly fragmented to uneconomic
levels. This makes use of such land difficult because it is small.
3. Limited market. This causes low demand and since the demand for labour is derived from the
demand for goods and services unemployment is experienced.
4. Political instability. It hinders smooth operation of economic activities and therefore people
have no jobs because of low levels of production that lead to low demand for labour.
5. Ignorance of people about availability of jobs elsewhere. This due to low publicity of the jobs
and it causes occupational and geographical mobility of labour.
6. Poor attitudes of people towards work in form of laziness.
7. Limited skills of labour force. There is inability to increase output because of low productivity.
8. Seasonal changes in this case labour is employed when the season is favourable and
unemployed in another when the season becomes unfavourable as in the case of agriculture
e.g. during the dry season/after harvesting people become unemployed.
9. Rural urban migration. This leads to unemployment in urban areas as some people fail to get
jobs of their choice due to limited skills, use of capital intensive techniques, etc.
10. Poor manpower planning. In this case the supply of labour exceeds the demand.
11. Discrimination in the labour market on the basis of race, gender etc. those who are not
favoured are not able to get jobs.
12. High population growth rate. It causes the population in an area to exceed the available
resources such as land/causes surplus labour compared to the available jobs.
Disguised unemployment
This is a situation where by labour appears to be actively involved at work but the marginal
productivity is either zero, negligible or negative. This can be illustrated as below:
Output (kgs)
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 311
6
4 MP
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Labour
In the illustration above, an increase in labour from 1-2 employees‟ increases output from 4-6 units,
there after additional workers 3-5 leaves output the same.
1. Limited capital to have more co-operant factors e.g. capital to buy more land.
2. Poor land tenure system e.g. land fragmentation in densely populated areas causing land
shortages.
3. High population growth rate which makes resources insufficient e.g. land for cultivation being
limited by fragmentation.
4. Limited skills and therefore inability to increase production in a meaningful way.
5. Lack of information about existing jobs elsewhere due to poor publicity.
6. Poor manpower planning e.g. excess supply of manpower in a given field visa-viz the demand.
7. Nepotism in some sectors which results into over enrolment/recruitment.
8. The employers desire to retain work force for future use.
1. Availing cheap capital or credit so that people can borrow and start income generating
activities.
Structural unemployment
1. Changes in demand away from output of certain industries due to changes in tastes and
preferences.
2. Use of inappropriate technology (capital intensive) where machines replace human beings.
3. Exhaustion of deposits of raw materials or inputs e.g. mining which makes miners unemployed.
4. Imbalance between rural and urban areas which leads to open urban unemployment.
5. Political instability which causes displacement of people and as such some of them lose their
jobs.
1. Ensuring flexibility in production which enables industries to change with changes in tastes and
preferences.
2. Diversification of production so that there is no reliance one commodity.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 313
3. Using appropriate so as to reduce technological unemployment.
4. Ensuring that there are facilities for retraining of workers whose skills are no longer in demand.
5. Ensuring serious manpower planning to forecast future trends in the economy so as to make
the necessary adjustment in time.
6. Retraining workers to equip them with skills that are needed in the job market.
7. Equipping workers with multiple skills so that they are able to do several jobs.
8. Ensuring political stability through good governance.
9. Widening markets through regional integration so that the demand for goods and services
increases causing an increase in demand for labour.
Seasonal unemployment
Solutions
1. Diversification of production activities e.g. production of many crops including the drought
resistant ones.
2. Introduction of small scale industries since these are not so much affected by weather
conditions.
3. Training labour to do so many jobs/multiple skilling.
4. Taming nature e.g. introducing irrigation farming so that activities go on throughout the year.
Frictional/Normal/Transitional/Search unemployment
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 314
This is a type of unemployment which occurs when labour is changing jobs in the short run.
OR
It occurs where there are unemployed workers of a particular occupation in one part of the country
but there are jobs in other parts.
Causes
Solutions
Solution
Provide work suitable for their dependence.
Casual/erratic unemployment
This is unemployment felt after one has accomplished an assignment or task as he/she waits for
another one.
Technological unemployment
This is unemployment caused by changes in production techniques so that machines replace human
beings e.g. use of capital intensive techniques which reduce the demand for labour in the concerned
industries.
Full employment
This refers to a situation in which everyone who wants to work at the prevailing wage rate is able to get
a job. Or
A situation in which an economy has succeeded in solving her unemployment problems and
unemployment is less than 5% of the work force, equivalent to workers switching jobs.
That is to say, due to low demand for final products firms reduce their output, income levels fall,
investment is discouraged and thus less capital and labour are employed.
AD AS
AS dg AD = C+I+G+X -M
0 ye yf National income
45
The major remedy according to Keynes is increasing aggregate demand. This can be increased
through (solutions according to Keynes):
1. At times unemployment in developing countries results due to fall in demand both domestic
and abroad.
2. In developing countries, there is an element of industrialisation hence the theory may be
applicable to the industrial sector.
3. In the long run as supply of co-operating for labour increases (increasing capital, supply of
labour) the theory becomes relevant.
4. The investment climate affects employment level and therefore promotion of investment in
Ldcs has potential to expand development as stated by Keynes.
5. Use of expansionary monetary policies to increase purchasing power in most developing
countries have tended to increase employment levels, this is a policy that was put forward by
Keynes.
Population refers to the number of people living in a given area a particular time such as a town, city
or country. The number of people in an area is arrived at by carrying out a population census.
Population census refers to the physical counting of people in a given area so as to discover the social
and economic implications which must be planned for accordingly.
1. To know the population distribution and hence determine the demarcation of constituencies for
electoral purposes.
2. It is necessary for calculation of per capita income which is an indicator for standard of living in a
country.
3. To establish the quality of the population e.g. literacy levels.
4. To determine the size of the labour force for purposes of policy formulation regarding
employment.
5. It helps to determine the birth and death rates hence helps to determine the natural population
growth rate.
6. It helps to determine the levels of migration so as to establish the artificial population growth
rates.
7. It helps a country seek foreign aid.
8. It helps to identify variables like divorce, fertility rates, access to health facilities, etc. that are
necessary when planning.
Birth rate. This refers to the number of people born alive in a year per 1000 of the total population.
Example. The population of Uganda in 2002 was 24 million people with 900,000 live births and
= 3.8%
Death rate. This refers to the total number of deaths per 1000 of the total population.
This is due to migrations; it depends on the number of people coming to settle in the country
(immigrations) and those moving out to settle in other countries (emigrations).
Revision question: Examine the effects of a high population growth rate in an economy.
1. It widens the market for goods and services. This because it provides a large number of people
who must be provided with goods and services.
2. Leads to high supply of labour force. There is a high supply of labour force because there more
people who graduate in to the labour force.
3. It provides an incentive for massive investment. The increase in the population causes an
increase demand for goods and services and therefore producers invest more since more profits
are realised.
4. It increases government revenue. As the number of people increases those who qualify to pay
taxes also increases which increases government revenue.
5. An increasing population initiates effort to work harder to sustain the predominantly dependent
population. The working population works harder to provide for young who are yet working.
1. Leads to high dependence burden/low savings since much of the income is spent on providing
basics to the young this perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty.
2. It increases unemployment and unemployment. The population growth rate provides a labour
force which is higher than the rate of job formation.
3. Causes low labour productivity. The rapid increase in population causes because low levels of
education/skills development which results into low productivity.
4. It leads to limited domestic market. There are many young people who are unable to purchase
goods because of low/no earnings as some of them not employed.
5. Leads to external resource dependence e.g. on foreign manpower. This is due low levels of
education which necessities using expatriates who are expensive.
6. It causes BOP problems. This is because of high importation of goods to supplement
domestically produced commodities.
7. The available infrastructure is over strained. This is because there are more people per service
and this seen in the congestion in schools, hospitals etc. which causes poor service delivery.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 326
8. Effective planning for the population becomes difficult. This is because of the diverse social
needs which the government is not able to meet adequately.
9. Leads to high government expenditure on provision of social service which strains the
government budget causing poor service delivery.
10. There high social costs in form of pollution, congestion, etc. and the government may have to
spend heavily to clean the environment. This is because there are more people to provide for
which causes over exploitation of resources.
11. Results into brain drain especially for those who are not able to get jobs. This causes loss of the
skilled manpower which causes under development.
12. It leads to high rates of rural-urban migration and the associated negative effects such as high
crime rate, poor accommodation etc. This is because there those who do not have jobs in rural
areas migrate to urban areas.
13. It exerts pressure on the available resources such as forests, swamps, etc. which leads to over
exploitation. This is because there are more people to cater for which causes excessive
exploitation of resources.
14. Leads to income inequality because production is dominated by few rich who can afford to set
production units.
15. It exerts pressure on land hence land fragmentation. There is more land needed for
16. It increases the debt burden. The government borrows to provide services to the population
which worsens the debt burden.
Suggest measures that should be taken to check the high population growth rate.
1. Adopt family planning programmes which involves changing people‟s attitudes, perceptions
and use of contraception.
2. Encourage small families using the media e.g. radio, TV, etc.
Explain the measures that have been taken to check the high population growth rate in your
country.
Measures that have been taken to control population growth rates in Uganda
Positive implications
1. High market potential. This is because of the high population growth rate that increases the
number of consumers
2. High potential for labour force. The population is dominated by the young who grow up to
constitute the labour force.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 329
3. Provides an incentive/potential for massive future investment. The high population growth rate
increases the number of consumers who increase demand and therefore encouraging
investment since there is possibility of high profits.
4. High tax potential. This is because of high population growth rate which increases the number
of tax payers.
5. Initiates efforts to work harder to sustain the predominantly dependent population. This is
because the population is dominated by the young, therefore working population must work
must put in extra effort to support it.
6. Government is awakened to its responsibility of providing necessary infrastructure. This is
because of the high level of poverty and population being dominated by the young.
7. Encourages labour mobility. This is because the population is dominated by the young.
8. High potential for increased resource utilisation. The high population growth rate increases the
demand for goods and services which causes the increase in the utilisation of resources to
satisfy their demands.
9. They young are innovative.
10. Reduces per capita social over- head costs. This is because of the high population growth rate
which makes number of people to serve bigger.
1. Leads to high dependence burden/low savings. This is because it is dominated by the young
who have to be supported by the working population.
2. It increases unemployment and unemployment. This is because of the high population growth
rate which causes labour supply to surpass demand for labour.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 330
3. Causes low labour productivity. This is because majority of the people are unskilled or semi-
skilled.
4. It leads to limited domestic market. This because of the high level of poverty in the country.
5. Leads to external resource dependence e.g. on foreign manpower. This because majority of the
people are semi-skilled and unskilled which necessitates use of expatriates.
6. It causes BOP problems. This is because of the high population rate which necessitates
importation of goods to supplement domestically produced commodities.
7. The available infrastructure is over strained. This is because there is a high population growth
rate and therefore there are more people per service and this seen in the congestion in schools,
hospitals etc. which causes poor service delivery.
8. Effective planning for the population becomes difficult. This is because of the high levels of
poverty and the population being mainly rural based.
9. Leads to high government expenditure on provision of social service which strains the
government budget. This is because of the high levels of poverty where many people have to be
catered.
10. There high social costs in form of pollution, congestion, etc. The high population growth rate
causes poor waste management.
11. Results into brain drain. This is because of the high rate of unemployment and under
employment. This causes loss of the skilled manpower which leads to under development.
12. It leads to high rates of rural-urban migration and the associated negative effects such as high
crime rate, poor accommodation etc. This is because of the high rate of unemployment in the
country.
13. It causes quick depletion of resources/exerts pressure on the available resources. This is because
of the high population growth rate and therefore there are more people to cater for which
causes excessive exploitation of resources.
14. Leads to income inequality. This is because of the high level of poverty in the country and
therefore production is dominated by few rich who can afford to set production units.
Under population refers to that population size that provides insufficient labour force which when
combined with the existing co-operant factors leads to low output/income per capita.
In this case as the population increases the additional population leads to increasing output per
person.
Optimum population refers to a population size that provides labour force that is sufficient to
combine with existing co-operant factors leading to maximum output per worker/highest per capita
income/average product.
Over population refers to a population size that supplies labour force which when combine with the
existing co-operant factors leads to declining output/income per capita.
Hence a certain number of people is required to optimally utilise the available resources, below it
(under population) there is under-utilisation of resources; while above it (over population) resources
are over utilised. As illustrated below
Per capita
Pop‟n Pop‟n
0 Po population
1. There is limited unemployment. Unemployment problems are reduced as the number of people
competing for jobs is low.
2. It improves the balance of payments position of the country. This is because under population
reduces the volume of imports and the volume of exports may also increase due to low
domestic consumption.
3. There is effective planning for the population. This is because the population is because the
small number of means limited needs.
4. There is less stain on the infrastructure of the country because it caters for a limited number of
people.
5. There is less government expenditure on provision of social services since there few people to
carter for.
6. It reduces brain drain since unemployment problems are minimal
Advantages and disadvantages of overpopulation refer to the effects of high population growth
rate
This considers the age groups namely; the young, the working and old. In this case consideration can
be for the developing and developed countries.
1. There are many dependents in the age bracket 0-14 compared to other age brackets. This is due
to the high birth rate and falling death rate. This is characteristic of developing countries.
2. There few people in the working age bracket.
3. There is a very small number of 64 years and above due to low life expectancy.
The above structure is dominated by the young, the effects of a young population are:
Positive effects
Negative effects
65+
16 - 64
0 – 15 years
1. There are many old dependants (65+) due to high life expectancy.
2. There are few people in the working age bracket.
3. There are very few young dependants. This is due to low birth rates and low death rates, high
life expectancy, high rates of urbanisation which are characteristic of developed countries. The
above pyramid shows an ageing population.
AN AGEING POPULATION
An ageing population is a situation where the number of the old people (65+) is higher than other age
groups. An ageing population has the following negative consequences.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 336
Effects of an ageing population
The Malthusian population theory states that, whereas population grows at a geometrical rate; food
production tended to grow at an arithmetic rate. Malthus said that due to the above trend, population
growth after a time would outstrip food production (population trap) and after such a time there was
need to control the population through negative checks like moral restraint, celibacy etc. otherwise
the positive checks like pestilence, wars, diseases etc. would serve to reduce population growth and
then population would equal food supply
Population growth
Food supply
0 t Time period
A is the population trap at this point food production is equal to population growth beyond which
there is starvation and death.
1. Assumed that technology and science are constant but technological progress occurs and is
causing increased food production.
2. It ignored the possibility of international trade and foreign aid to overcome food shortages yet
countries engage in international trade and get food. I.e. LDCs are open economies.
3. Malthus did not foresee great improvement in transport which enables countries get food from
near and far countries.
4. Malthus did not realise that rising living standards can cause a fall in birth rates and population.
5. He was influenced by the law of diminishing returns which is not wholly true. There are cases of
increasing returns when land is used.
6. Agriculture modernisation is not foreseen by the theory yet this is taking place in most LDCs
and is causing increase in food production that supports the increasing population.
7. He assumed a subsistence economy yet economies are growing out of subsistence/get
monetised. There are some people who produce food for sale to those who do not produce
food.
8. The theory ignored the deliberate and scientific methods of birth control or modern methods of
family planning. These are now in use in many developing countries.
9. Population growth does not depend on food alone. It is influenced by several factors such as
birth rate, death rate etc.
1. Land is fixed in supply and subject to the law of diminishing returns a situation experienced as
anticipated by Malthus.
2. Natural family planning methods/control measures like celibacy being used are his initiation.
3. Positive checks (wars, diseases) on population exist in LDCs.
4. Land problems or disputes are common in LDCs today.
5. Some areas in Low developed countries face food shortages/famine.
6. Existence of a subsistence sector which is still large in LDCs.
LABOUR
Labour refers to the human resource (physical/mental) available to society for use in the production
process. This labour can be unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled. It is one of the most important factors of
production.
Labour force. This is the proportion of the population that is made up of the working age group,
excluding full time students and housewives.
Or
It is the total number of people of the working age group that is available for employment at a given
time.
1. Mainly unskilled.
2. Mainly youthful.
3. Mainly employed in agriculture sector/primary production.
4. The majority are in rural areas.
5. Mostly concentrated in urban areas/geographical concentration per unit area.
6. The majority are highly mobile.
7. There are slightly more females than males.
Labour supply refers to the total number of people available for employment in a country in a given
period of time at an on-going wage rate.
OR
The total time labour is willing to offer for work at the on-going wage rate.
1. Size of the population. The bigger the size of the population in the country, the higher the
labour supply this is because there are more people available for employment and a small
Demand for labour is defined as the quantity of labour desired by an employer at a particular time and
wage rate. The demand for labour is derived from what it can produce i.e. it is demanded not for its
own sake but to produce goods that have been demand.
1. The demand for commodities that are produced by labour. The high the demand for
commodities the higher the demand for labour needed to produce them holding other factors
constant.
2. The price of labour/wage rate. The higher the wage rate the lower the demand for labour and
the lower the wage rate the higher demand for labour.
3. The proportion of labour cost to the total cost of production. The high the ratio of labour cost to
total cost of production the lower the demand for labour and vice versa.
4. The cost of labour relative to that of capital. If labour is cheaper than capital more labour is
demanded and vice versa when capital is cheaper.
WAGES
A wage is a reward to labour as a factor of production for the services it renders in the production
process. A wage can be expressed as nominal or real wage.
Nominal wage refers to that expressed or received in monetary terms e.g. a worker receiving 100,000
Shs per month.
Real wage is a wage expressed in terms of goods and services it can purchase.
Or
1. Size of the nominal wage. Holding other factors constant, the higher the nominal wage the
higher the real wage and vice versa.
2. Level of taxation. High taxes reduce one‟s income and consequently the real wage reduces.
3. Price level of goods/cost of living/rate of inflation. High prices reduce the real wage while low
prices increase it.
A salary is a fixed reward to labour and it may not change because of time or piece worked.
a) Explain the average level of wages in the short run and long run.
b) To explain the differences in payment of wages.
A number of theories have been formulated to explain the general level of wages prevailing in an
economy. These are:
This theory was advanced by Stuart Mill. According to him, there is a wage pool (wage fund) set
aside out of which the wages are paid. They wage paid is usually determined by the size of
employees and pool set aside. The bigger the pool the greater the wage and vice versa.
i. It does not show the source of the fund and how it is determined.
ii. There is no fund set aside for wages.
iii. It does not explain wage differentials in different occupations.
This theory puts it that since wages are prices for labour, wages are determined by the
interaction of forces of demand and supply so that if there exists excessive demand for labour,
wages rise and vice versa. It is also called the modern theory of wages.
According to Karl Marx, labour creates all values. The value of the commodity produced is
equivalent to the price of labour. Labour is always paid less because the capitalists take the
profits which should also be earned by labour. i.e. the workers are given a wage that is below
the price of the commodities they produce and are thus exploited.
The theory states that workers should paid wages to enable them meet their bare subsistence
needs (so that they work harder after experiencing hardships like hunger).
If wages rise above this level, there is an increase in population, increasing competition for
employment among workers which causes wages to fall.
If wages fall below this level, there is decrease in population increasing competition for
employment among workers which causes wages to increase.
This means that a worker should be given a wage that is just enough to enable him/her meet
the basic needs e.g. clothing, food etc.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 346
Note: A living wage is payment to a worker sufficient to provide his basic needs.
Or
A living wage is a reward that is adequate for a worker and his family to subsist comfortably.
a) To what extent is the subsistence theory of wages used in the determination of wages in
Uganda?
b) To a larger extent the subsistence theory of wages is not applicable in determination of
wages due to:
1. The theory approaches the problem of wage determination entirely from the supply side, it
ignores the demand for labour entirely thus difficulty in using it.
2. The theory relates wage rates to birth rates/population growth which is not the case in
Uganda‟s labour.
3. According to the theory all workers should receive the same wage rate which is not the case in
Uganda i.e. wages differ.
4. Theory does not consider the fact that the bare minimum needs vary from time to time
depending on price levels, economic conditions, etc.
5. The theory is only applicable to the subsistence sector/in subsistence level of living but not to
the commercialised sectors of Uganda‟s economy which use other considerations in wage
determination.
6. Trade union influence in wage determination is not taken into account by the theory.
7. Contrary to the law employees work harder when paid higher wages and do not work hard
when paid low wages.
To small extent the iron law of wages is applicable in Uganda in determination of wages because:
According to this theory, wages are the left over after other factors of production have been
rewarded. The more the left-overs, the higher the wage and vice versa.
ii. The theory does not explain how trade unions attempt to raise wages. iii.
The theory ignores the influence of labour in wage determination.
This is where the government sets the wage which is to be paid by employers to employees and
it is illegal to pay any employee a wage below or above that set by the government. This may be
in form of minimum and maximum wages.
We
0 L1 Le Labour
Positive effects
Negative effects
1. It leads to excess supply of labour in relation to demand and therefore results into
unemployment because some workers are laid off/dismissed to in order to minimise
production.
2. It increases the production cost due to high labour costs.
3. It may result into technological unemployment because some employers may find it cheaper
it cheaper to use machines.
4. It worsens income inequality if not evenly implemented.
5. It discourages investment especially when investors fear high costs associated with high
wages.
Maximum wage is the wage set by the government below wage equilibrium and it is illegal for
an employer to pay any worker above it. It is otherwise called wage sealing or wage freezing.
D S
We W1 is the maximum w1
0 Le L2 Labour
i. To decrease aggregate demand in the economy in order to control demand pull inflation.
ii. To decrease cost of production in order to control cost push inflation.
iii. To encourage employers to use labour intensive techniques of production and to provide
employment to more employees.
The marginal productivity theory of wages states that under perfect conditions, the reward to each
unit of labour should be equal to the value of its marginal product. Thus, wage = value of marginal
product of labour (VmPL) or wage = marginal Revenue Product of Labour (MRPL)
MuhindaWage
Richard Economics notes 2018 352
Marginal Revenue Product (MRPL = VmPL)/
0 Le Labour
From the above illustration, a rational employer stops recruiting labour at point E where the marginal
factor cost (MFC) of labour is equal to the marginal product of labour.
NB: The supply of labour is perfectly elastic because all labour units are homogenous. The demand
curve for labour is downward slopping due diminishing marginal productivity of labour.
a) Government usually intervenes in fixing wages. This through fixing minimum and maximum
wages.
b) It ignores the role of trade unions in bargaining for high wages/individual bargaining power of
workers. Trade unions in some cases influence the wage given to employees through collective
bargaining.
c) Labour is not homogeneous and workers productivity varies. The productivity of skilled labour is
different from that which is unskilled.
To avoid conflicts between workers and their employers brought about how much wages to pay
and to be paid, a standard method of wage payment is necessary. The various methods of wage
payment are:
1. Time rate
2. Piece rate
3. Bonus method
4. Sliding scale
5. Payment in kind
6. Profit sharing
This is a method of wage payment where a worker is paid according to the amount of work done. A
work receives payment for a definite and measurable amount of work e.g. number of bricks made,
loaves of bread etc.
1. Health conditions of workers may worsen because labours tend to over work themselves in
order to earn more.
2. Quality may decline since workers are more interested in quantity rather than quality.
3. When a worker genuinely falls sick or misses work he or she is not paid for the days missed.
4. There are possibilities of high risks or accidents as people try to produce more and earn more.
5. The worker is not assured of regular pay and therefore he/she cannot plan effectively.
6. There may be over production due to high output consequently resulting into wastage.
7. Slow but careful workers are discouraged since higher earnings are the driving force.
8. Hard working people are resented.
This is where a fixed sum of money is paid to a worker or employee for a given amount of time spent
at work. This could be hourly, daily, weekly or monthly etc.
1. The worker is assured of regular income even during the time of illness/sickness.
2. It is easy to calculate where work done is hard to measure e.g. for professionals like doctors,
lawyers, teachers etc.
3. The worker can easily plan for his/her income i.e. how to spend it when and where.
4. The quality of work is high since workers do not rush to complete tasks given to them.
5. It minimises risks of damages and accidents since workers take their time.
6. The employer is given sufficient time to mobilise funds to pay the employees.
7. Employees and employers can easily agree on working conditions
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 356
8. It has an element of discipline, a spirit of personal responsibility and efficiency among workers.
9. Hard workers are encouraged through overtime which also increases earning.
10. It facilitates taxation of income earners by the government and is therefore associated with
lower taxation costs.
11. There is job security for efficient workers because should necessity to dismiss some workers
arise the lazy ones are dismissed first.
Disadvantages
1. It involves a lot of supervision costs since one has to see how is being done.
2. It may lead to inefficiency as the hard working persons are discouraged by those who are lazy
but earn the same amount.
3. There is a tendency of workers absenting themselves or dodging or doing less work since wages
will not be affect.
4. Low quality work may be realised since it does not consider how work is accomplished but
rather the period.
5. Output tends to be low because the system encourages slow work.
6. It is difficult for the employer to determine the contribution of each worker to the total output.
7. It is not easy for the employee to get the amount due him before the end of time in case of
urgent need.
This is a method of payment where by a worker who produces above what is expected of him/her in
terms of output or work done in a given period of time is paid an extra amount for each excess output
produce or task accomplished.
Disadvantages
PROFIT SHARING
This is a system where employees take share of the profits with their employers. Workers are
promoted to hold certain number of shares as long as they remain in employment of the firm and so
receive a share of the profits.
1. Through forces of demand and supply. In situations of excess demand labour for labour
employees receive higher wages and high supply of labour in relation to demand leads to
payment of low wages.
2. Using the piece rate. Employees are paid basing on output produced.
3. Using the time rate. Employees are paid basing on time spent at work.
4. Through collective bargaining. This involves negotiation between employees representatives
and the employer.
5. By employers setting the salaries/wages. The employer offers wage which the employee takes
or leaves.
6. Individual bargaining. This involves negotiation between an individual employee and the
employer.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 358
Factors that influence the level of wages in Uganda
1. Demand and supply of labour. When the demand for labour is low and supply of labour is high
a low wage is paid because the stiff competition for jobs while when the demand for labour is
high and supply of labour is low a high wage is offered since there is competition for
employees.
2. Bargaining strength of an individual worker. A worker who has strong bargaining power
receives a higher wage because he is able to convince the employer while a worker who is weak
at bargaining receives a low wage because he is not able to convince the employer to pay more.
3. Amount of work done by the worker. A worker with high productivity is paid a higher wage than
a worker with low productivity.
4. Bargaining strength of trade unions. Employees who belong to strong trade unions receive
higher wages because they are able to convince the employer to pay higher wages while
employees who belong to weak trade unions get low wages because they are not able to
convince the employer to pay more.
5. Number of hours worked. The more the time spent at work the higher the pay because more
output and revenue is realised while when less time is spent at work less output is realised and
therefore a low wage is paid.
6. Cost of living. High cost of living leads to a low wage being paid because employees spend less
on goods and services while when the cost of living is high employees are paid a high wage to
enable them be in position to buy goods and services.
7. Level of education and skills. Educated employees are paid a high wage because of their high
efficiency while those employees with low level of education are paid low wages because of the
low efficiency.
8. Nature of jobs/type of work done. Risky jobs attract high wages to compensate the employees
for exposure to risk while less risky jobs are paid low wages since there is less exposure to harm.
TRADE UNIONS
1. General union. These are unions that accommodate different types of workers without regard
to any particular skills.
2. Industrial unions. These are unions which organise all workers in a particular industry regardless
of the type of job done by the workers. E.g. medical workers union etc.
3. Craft unions. These bring together workers with a particular skill e.g. lawyers, teachers, etc.
4. Closed shop union. This is the type of union or agreement that particular employees have to
join particular unions in order to obtain and retain employment.
5. Open shop union. This is the type of union where all types of workers irrespective of their skills
and occupation are free to join. Industrial and general unions are examples of open shop
unions.
6. White collar union.
1. The amount of strike fund and financial strength. Unions that are financially strong are in a
better position to agitate for better wages and improved working conditions because they are
able to mobilise their members while financially weak unions are not able to mobilise their
members and therefore are not able to convince the employers to pay more.
2. The degree of government interference in trade union activities. Too much interference by the
government erodes the strength of trade unions as it cracks down demonstrations, gatherings
etc. and as a result getting better wages is difficult, while limited interference enables trade
unions to mobilise their members for agitate for better wages.
3. Size of membership/degree of unionisation and bargaining skills. Unions with large
membership are more successful because they have impact on the employer if they withdraw
their labour while limited membership causes low success because their impact on the
employer (s) is low since they do not cause a significant loss to the employer.
4. Prevailing economic conditions. It is much easier to raise wages during a boom because
entrepreneurs are getting higher profits while during a depression success of trade unions is
limited because there low profits and some businesses are closing.
5. Number of employers in the market. In monopoly situations, raising wages is difficult because
workers have no alternative in case they are dismissed, while in perfect competition situation
wages are raised because of fear of losing employees to other employers.
6. The elasticity of supply of labour. Labour whose elasticity of supply is elastic has limited chances
of success because of large numbers; on the other hand labour whose elasticity of supply is
inelastic has high chances of success because of their limited supply.
1. Round table negotiations. This method involves collective bargaining. Collective bargaining
refers to the round table negotiations between employers and trade union representatives
regarding wages and working conditions.
2. Go slow. In this case workers report to their work but put in less effort or few hours of work so
that the employer realises a decline in output.
1. When there‟s a rise in the cost of living. This is because high cost of living reduces the real wage of
the worker, therefore employees demand for wage increment to enable them purchase goods and
services.
To lesser extent trade unions in Uganda have managed to achieve the following:
1. They increase the efficiency of employees as a result of improved wages and working conditions.
2. They reduce income inequality especially between the highly paid and least paid in the industry.
3. The purchasing power of the employees is improved through wage increments.
4. The presence of trade unions encourages the employer to use capital intensive techniques
resulting into high output.
5. Improve the skills of labour through training.
6. Help in reducing discrimination in the labour market.
7. Help improve job security for the workers.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 367
Negative effects
1. They lead to wage push inflation since demand for the higher wages result into the employer
increasing the price of goods.
2. They have a negative effect on economic growth since withdrawing of labour through strikes
results into low production.
3. They discourage investment since high wage demands increase the wage bill which scares away
investors due to the high cost of production.
4. They lead to increased level of unemployment since the increase in wages makes the employer
use capital intensive techniques.
5. They create BOP problems since high wages make domestically produced goods expensive than
the imported ones.
6. They create political instability and sometimes lead to over throw of government.
7. They promote income inequality between members of the trade union and non-members.
8. They may create artificial scarcity of labour by demanding that only members should be
employed.
1. Poor leadership skills or limited commitment by leaders. They therefore do not ably convince the
employers to meet workers‟ demands.
2. Poor organisation or discrimination among members on the basis of tribe, religion etc. This
results from lack of unity among workers when demanding for wage increment.
3. Lack of sufficient funds. Members are reluctant to pay their membership and subscription fees
that are required for union activities and these result into limited activities and mobilisation of the
members.
Economic growth refers to the persistent increase in the quantity of goods and services produced in
an economy during a given time/year.
OR
It refers to the steady process by which the productive capacity of the economy is increased to bring
about rising levels of national output and national income.
It is the sustained increase in the country‟s real output of goods and services measured by the GNP.
Growth is a long term process and the increase in the volume of goods and services should be
persistent.
18. Availability and utilisation of resources: When the available natural resources are well utilised
there is high level of output because firms have inputs/raw materials to use in production and
this leads to a high level of economic while when the available resources are not well utilised
there is low rate of economic growth because of limited availability of inputs/raw materials.
19. Policy of government on production and investment: A favourable government policy in form
provision of investment incentives encourages production because low costs of production are
experienced hence there is high rate of economic growth while a unfavourable government
policy such as high taxation leads to high cost of production and therefore a low level of
production and economic growth.
These are the advantages enjoyed by individuals and society as whole as GNP increases and different
commodities are produced in an economy. These include the following;
i. Increased production of goods and services leading to improved welfare. This is because there
are several enterprises established to provide various commodities and there is a higher rate of
resource utilisation.
ii. Increases government revenue by increasing the tax base.
iii. Leads to greater utilisation of resources. More resources are employed in the industries and
other production units that are set up since they are used as inputs.
iv. Wide variety of goods is produced increasing consumer choice. This is because there are
several firms involved in production of differentiated goods.
v. Employment opportunities are increased. This is because various industries are established.
vi. Leads to development of infrastructure. There is construction and rehabilitation of
infrastructure to ease movement of goods labour as well as to reduce production costs. vii.
Leads production of exports. Firms produce not only for the local market but also foreign
market since they have better technology and this improves the BOP position of the country.
viii. There is a reduction in income inequality. This is due to increased participation of individuals in
production and the availability of more employment opportunities.
ix. Leads to technological development. This because of invention, innovations and research to
enable firms provide quality goods and services.
x. Improvement in the skills of labour. This is through training and this improves the productivity
of labour. xi. Increased enjoyment of leisure / improved sol / income. The increase in income
enables individuals to enjoy leisure.
COSTS OF GROWTH
These are the disadvantages which individuals and society as whole suffer as a result of
economic growth that has been achieved. I.e. it is the opportunity cost of economic growth or
the side effects of economic growth.
i. Causes to quick exhaustion of resources due to over exploitation. This is because there are
several firms involved in production and trying to maximise profits.
ii. Environmental degradation/pollution. This is brought about by poor waste management and
the fumes from industries that pollute the environment.
iii. It requires hard work therefore people forego their leisure time. People strain themselves trying
to increase their incomes through increased output and this causes poor health. iv. It causes
income inequalities. This is because production is undertaken by few who have the required
capital and therefore the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
Rostow explained growth from a historical perspective. Using capital accumulation as the origin of
growth. Rostow identified five stages through which all economies must pass in order to achieve
economic development.
This is a transitional stage in which the traditional systems are over come so that the economy can
start developing. It characterised by the following;
TAKE-OFF STAG
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 377
This is an important stage where an economy attains self sufficient i.e. there is a
Rostow defines this stage as period when society has effectively applied the range of modern
technology to its resources. It is a period of long sustained economic growth. It is characterised by the
following:
According to Rostow this is the highest stage of economic growth. There is a very high standard of
living. It is characterised by the following:
NB: Uganda is in the pre-conditions for take-off stage because of the following reasons:
The theory of balanced growth by Ragnar Nurkes emphasises harmonious and simultaneous
investment in the all sectors of the economy so that they complement each other and grow more
or less at the same pace. In this strategy balance should be achieved in sectors like industry and
agriculture consumer goods and capital goods, domestic and foreign sectors investment in human
capital and physical capital etc.
1. There is promotion of inter sectoral linkages in the economy resulting in to an integrated and
self-sustaining economy. The linkages are forward and backward.
2. There is skills development. It encourages training in various labour skills which improves the
efficiency of labour thus increased productivity in the long run.
3. It improves the BOP position of a country. It eases the problem of unfavourable bop through
diversification of production and increasing export earnings.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 380
4. It helps widen the tax base through industrialisation and diversification of economic activities.
This increases government revenue
5. It widens employment opportunities. More employment opportunities are created in the
various sectors of the economy hence improved earnings.
6. It leads to increased output. This is because several firms are established thus accelerates
economic growth.
7. The strategy ensures better utilisation of resources by the different sectors. This is due the large
number firms involved in production and the increased demand for goods and services.
8. It leads production of a variety of good. This is because there are several firms producing
differentiated goods hence widening consumer choice.
9. It widens the market. The simultaneous development of sectors creates market inn each sector
since the sectors are interdependent / because of increased activities.
10. There is reduced dependence on other economies or one sector. This is because there are more
goods available locally which reduces the demand for imports.
11. It reduces income inequalities in the economy as most people are employed in various sectors
where they earn incomes
12. The strategy promotes balanced regional development. The various sectors of the economy are
catered for, this is because of investment in most sectors so that they grow at the same time.
13. It promotes the development of infrastructure. There is construction of infrastructure to ease
movement of goods and services.
14. The strategy promotes technological development. This is because there is technology transfer
and increased innovations and investments.
NB: Forward linkages exist when setting of an industry results into emergence of other industries with
the newly established plats forming markets for products (and by-products) of the already existing
industry.
While
This strategy was advanced by Professor Albert Hirschman. It states that leading sector(s) with
strategic importance should be selected and expanded first so that it pulls up or develops other
sectors through linkages. The leading sectors are the key sectors of the economy with backward and
forward linkages e.g. developing agriculture first it would later lead to industrialisation as the
agriculture sector provides raw materials to the industrial sector.
1. It encourages economics dualism as one sector is developed at the expense of other sector. This
delays the rate of development.
2. The collapse of the priority sector will bring severe hardship and stagnation in the economy.
3. It emphasises specialisation producing according to comparative advantages which has
disadvantages like lack of sufficient market fluctuation of price that lead to the instability in the
economy
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 384
4. It promotes unemployment because the leading sector cannot fully absorb most of the
resources most especially labour.
5. It may lead to shortages as one sector may not be enough to provide what is demanded before
other sectors have been developed. This creates scarcity in the economy resulting in inflation.
6. It perpetuates dependency syndrome since the country cannot meet all her needs it has to
depend on imports making the economy valuable to domination by other economics
7. In most cases priority is given to industrial development with the industries being urban based
hence leading to rural migration.
8. The strategy promotes income inequity because those engaged in the leading sector will
receive more income while those engaged in non-priority sectors will receive less earnings
hence income inequality.
9. Increased output in the key sector may fail to get market resulting in sever losses for the
producers in the economy.
10. The strategy worsens BOP position of the country as it has to depend on other countries for
survival i.e. importing commodities from other countries.
11. It promotes regional imbalance as it emphases industries that are mainly urban based with well
developed infrastructure at the expense of rural areas.
The strategy advocates for massive investment of capital and other resources into the economy on
large scale necessary for the promotion of rapid industrialisation and expansion of economic
infrastructure. I.e. a large comprehensive programme is needed in the form of a high minimum
amount of investment to overcome the obstacles to development in developing countries. The
massive investment which is required is called critical minimum effort.
Critical minimum effort is the minimum investment or sacrifice required to attain massive capital
stock necessary for a country to take- off.
1. Economic growth is faster and rapid and an economy develops in a short time.
2. It generates employment opportunities on wider scale. This is because several industries and
infrastructure provided jobs hence improvement in people‟s welfare.
3. It promotes quick industrialisation of the economy. This is achieved through massive investment
in industry and infrastructure.
4. It widens market for goods and services. As many firms are set up many people are employed
increasing their purchasing power.
5. There is establishment of infrastructure through construction which leads to the overall
development of the economy. This because it eases transportation of goods and services.
6. It increases the volume of exports and reduces the volume of imports hence solving the bop
problems of a country.
7. The strategy reduces income inequalities since many people are able to get employment.
8. It encourages massive use of the locally available resources reducing dependence on external
resources or borrowing.
9. It widens the tax base enabling the government earn revenue.
10. The strategy helps in skills acquisition since labour is trained in various skills to manage the
different sectors. This improves the efficiency of labour.
1. It assumes abundance of capital to invest in all sectors of the economy which is not the case for
developing countries where capital is not adequate. This results into incomplete projects.
2. Lack of sufficient market to absorb all that is produced because of the low purchasing power of
individuals leads to wastage of resources.
1. Limited capital. This causes inability to purchase the required in puts hence a low level of
production.
2. Limited skills. There is inefficiency in production hence wastage of resources 3. Small
market. This causes low level of production since there are low profits.
4. Limited entrepreneurial skills. There is limited establishment of enterprises hence a low level of
production.
5. Limited basic infrastructure. This causes inability to access inputs markets and markets of final
goods hence high cost of production.
6. Political instability. It destroys projects and causes wastage of resources.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic development refers to the persistent qualitative and quantitative increase in the volume of
goods and services produced in a country over a given time.
Or
The persistent quantitative and qualitative increase in GDP over a long period of time; it includes
qualitative changes in variables that improve life of citizens such as increased freedoms of choice; self-
esteem etc.
Whereas economic growth may be achieved in a short time economic development is achieved after a
considerably long time. Therefore a country may achieve economic growth and not economic
development.
1. Growth may be achieved with an increase in output when there is no increase in quality
2. It may be attained when there is un even distribution of income
3. Economic growth may be achieved when society is over strained by work or when there is
hardly any leisure enjoyed
4. Growth may be achieved amidst high levels of unemployment
5. It may be achieved when there are high levels of inflation
6. Economic growth may achieved when there is high population growth rate
7. It may be achieved amidst political instability
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 388
8. Economic growth may be achieved with increasing public debt
UNDERDEVELOPMENT
The world is mainly divide into developed and under developed countries.
Or
Government in east Africa and the word over have put in place development goals as a way of
achieving economic development. Goals or objectives of development are broad policy guidance
designed to achieve an improvement in people welfare .the goals of development include:
1. Agriculture requires less capital investment than industrialisation and therefore it is the most
appropriate for the developing countries since they do not have insufficient capital.
2. Agriculture has quick returns because of the less capital requirements and the quick maturity of
the agricultural produce farmers are able to realise returns in a very short time
3. It is a source of raw materials. Agriculture is a major source of raw material for the agro based
material and therefore it brings about rapid industrialisation.
4. It provides employment to both the skilled unskilled. Majority of the people in developing
countries depend on agriculture and are more employed in the sector. Therefore its
development would provide employment to many people.
5. It provides an important source of revenue to the government by taxing farmers, cooperatives
etc.
6. It reduces rural-urban migration as developing agriculture leads to the development of rural
areas reducing the need to move to urban areas for employment.
7. Ensures balanced regional development, if well-developed it would lead to balanced regional
development as it is the activity in the developing countries.
8. It contributes to the GDP through the substantial amount of output.
9. It is source of food to the population- both the urban and rural population thus developing it
leads to quality quantity and cheap produce.
10. It provides market for manufactured goods like fertilizers, hoes etc. thus promoting
industrialisation.
11. Encourages the development of infrastructure. There is development of infrastructure through
construction to support the sector e.g. roads which promote the development of the entire
economy.
12. It is an important foreign exchange earner as it is an important source of exports e.g. tea, cotton,
etc.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 391
13. The development of the agriculture releases labour force to the industrial sector in the long run.
The development of the sector leads to less labour requirements.
14. It reduces income inequalities because majority of the population are able to earn through
employment, selling produce etc.
1. Less revenue is realised by the government because of the low earnings by those in the sector.
Government imposes low taxes.
2. It leads to unfavourable terms of trade as the prices of agricultural products are generally low
compared to those of manufactured goods.
3. It causes un favourable BOP because revenue obtained from agricultural exports is low
compared to high expenditure on imported goods
4. Price fluctuations are common in the sector due to the changes brought about by the changes
in weather, costs of production, etc.
5. Agricultural development may not solve the mass unemployment that is rampant in Ldcs since
there is seasonal and disguised unemployment.
6. Agriculture is subject to the law of diminishing returns and therefore output reduces over time
reducing people‟s earnings / incomes of those employed in the sector.
7. It increases external dependence as emphasising it would lead to the supply of agricultural
products at the expense of manufactured goods causing trade dependence.
Strategies for agricultural development aim at improving the methods used in agriculture, changing
or transforming the methods used in agriculture in order to increase output.
This approach aims at encouraging agricultural development within the existing peasant production
units by changing the existing production techniques without changing the basic organisation of
farming. It requires provision of inputs, extension services, credit facilities, infrastructure, etc.
1. It does not require a lot of capital compared to other strategies e.g. mechanisation.
2. It creates employment for the unemployed as it improves „their skills.
3. It improves the quality of labour in rural areas leading to better quality products.
4. Fundamental changes not needed by the farmers.
This refers to changing from the existing method which is traditional and out dated to one which is
modern to meet the current demand for agricultural output. It depends on large scale mechanisation.
It involves the following:
Disadvantages
MECHINISATION OF AGRICULTURE
Mechanisation involves use of machines like tractors, ploughs, sprayers, etc. in order to increase
quality and quantity of output.
Advantages
1. It improves the quality of agricultural output through irrigation schemes, spraying against
diseases etc.
2. It results into high levels of output.
3. It results into greater amount of work arising from using machines to prepare land, seed beds,
etc.
4. Mechanisation reduces the production cost since the use of machines reduces the amount of
labour required to plant, spray, etc.
Disadvantages
1. Requires large pieces of land and yet there is a poor land tenure system in developing countries
due land fragmentation.
2. Increases the rate of land exhaustion and thus reduction in the productivity of land.
3. Promotes over production and hence wastage of resources.
4. Causes environmental degradation. There is because machines release fumes into the
atmosphere.
5. Promotes specialisation and its associated problems.
6. There is lack of sufficient funds to invest in mechanisation for the case of developing countries.
7. Mechanisation causes unemployment. This is because few people are employed where
machines are used.
8. Rural–urban migration is promoted. Those who cannot get jobs in rural areas go to urban
centres since machines are preferred.
9. It promotes income inequality because it is mainly affordable by the rich.
10. It may create a landless class as it requires large tracts of land. Factors which limit
mechanisation of agriculture
Developing countries in the past have tried the agricultural strategy but have not registered significant
economic progress. There is an argument that for developing countries to achieve high rates of
growth and development they should industrialise and the following are given as arguments in favour
of industrialisation:
1. It requires a lot of capital which Ldcs do not have in sufficient amounts thus Ldcs cannot afford
this strategy i.e. it is expensive.
2. The strategy is associated with low levels of employment in the short run and therefore cannot
solve the mass unemployment that is rampant in developing countries.
3. It worsens the problem of income inequality especially in the short run because few people are
employed or those employed in the industrial sector earn higher incomes than those in other
sectors e.g. agriculture.
4. It leads to rural urban migration because most industries are concentrated in urban areas.
5. It encourages external agriculture dependency since some industries require imported raw
materials. This worsens the problem of dependency.
6. It leads to over exploitation of resources as there is high rate of resource exploitation because of
use of better methods thus quick resource exhaustion.
1. There is provision of more employment opportunities. This is because there are several
industries established that require labour force and the use of labour intensive techniques of
production.
2. It reduces the extent of foreign dependency. It leads to self sufficiency in basic consumer goods
and other requirements since they are locally provided.
3. It facilitates the development of local skills. This through the training of the labour force and this
improves the efficiency of labour.
1. It is associated with profit repatriation because most of the industries are foreign owned.
2. It encourages use of capital intensive techniques of production which results into
unemployment.
3. It leads to capital outflow through importation of intermediate inputs and labour / expatriates.
This leads to bop problems.
1. It leads to the expansion of the market for goods and services which increases the country ‟s
foreign exchange through exports
2. There is considerable development of infrastructure through construction and
rehabilitation in form of roads, railways, etc. to ensure smooth operation of the industries.
3. It helps in the improvement of quality as the firms are subjected to international
competition/add value to gods.
4. There is increased resource utilisation by the industries especially those that use locally available
resources
5. It encourages inventions and innovations as research is promoted to ensure efficiency in the
firms.
6. Causes the diversification of foreign markets. It avails a country opportunity to sell to various
countries.
7. The strategy improves relations between countries through trade.
8. It encourages the development of labour skills as employees are trained in modern skills of
production so as to increase efficiency in production.
1. Presence of protectionism, the demand for commodities from developing countries is law
because of protectionist policies imposed by developed countries e.g. tariffs on goods from
developing countries
2. Products from Ldcs are of low quality and therefore out competed by commodities from the
developed countries
3. Developing countries find it hard to trade with each other since they produce the same
commodities
4. Most developing countries incur high cost of production because of poor infrastructure which
makes the commodities expensive.
5. Developing countries do not have sufficient skilled man power to run the industries
necessitating expatriates who are expensive to maintain
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 403
6. High cost market research and sales promotion is involved yet developing countries are not in
position to meet the cost
7. The strategy may lead to quick depletion of domestic resources*
8. The strategy requires fiscal incentives e.g. subsidisation of both local and foreign investors, this
makes the strategy expensive for developing countries.
9. Inadequate capital to set up industries.
10. Limited local natural resources/Limited raw materials. This causes an increase in the cost of
production.
11. Poor infrastructure. This makes transportation of inputs and finished products difficult and
therefore increases the cost of production.
12. Political instabilities. These scare investors as they fear for their lives and property and as a result
there is limited investment.
13. Corruption and embezzlement/low level of accountability.
14. Poor land tenure system.
15. Limited export promotion facilities/institution.
These are industries that employ less than 100 employees and the capital invested is less than 300,000
US dollars. Examples include dairy farms, poultry farms etc.
Positive role
1. Provision of employment opportunities. There several of them established and therefore many
people are able to get jobs.
2. Training grounds for entrepreneurs. They enable some entrepreneurs start small and over time
learn how to manage bigger enterprises.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 404
3. Promote economic diversification/industrialisation.
4. Encourage development of infrastructure. There is construction of infrastructure to facilitate
movement of raw materials and finished products.
5. Increased incomes/GDP. The several firms produce and contribute the nation‟s output.
6. Reduced income disparities. They are easier to start and are therefore enable many people to
engage in production and earn income.
7. Grounds for technological development. There is innovation and invention as people try
produce better quality goods.
8. Production of affordable goods and services.
9. Improved BOP position. They reduce the demand for imported goods and therefore reduce
foreign exchange expenditure.
10. Source of government revenue. Some of the firms are taxed and contribute to government
revenue
11. Promotion of self sufficiency. They reduce the reliance on imported goods.
12. Acquisition of skills. There is on-job training which improves the efficiency of labour.
13. Creation of forward and backward linkages/provision of markets.
14. Utilisation of would be idle resources. The local resources are used as inputs.
15. Variety of goods and services are locally produced. There is product differentiation by the many
producers.
Negative role
1. They have less capital requirement they are therefore appropriate for developing countries that
do not have sufficient capital.
2. The small scale industries provide employment to a wide range of skilled and semi- skilled
labour force. This is because they are mainly labour intensive.
3. They promote rural transformation because they can easily be located anywhere including rural
areas.
4. Small scale industries are flexible and therefore can easily respond and adapt themselves to
changing economic conditions e.g. changes in demand.
5. They are suitable for the small size of market in developing countries therefore minimise
wastage of resources
6. The industries do not require highly skilled labour force and therefore appropriate for
developing countries that do not have sufficient skilled manpower
7. They act as training grounds for the indigenous entrepreneurs who are in short supply and
therefore help developing countries to establish large scale industries
8. They produce a wide range of consumer goods for the low income earners. This reduces foreign
exchange expenditure on imported commodities
9. They mainly use local raw materials and therefore encourage better utilisation of the locally
available resources
10. They help to reduce income inequalities because they are easy to establish in many parts of the
country and employ many people.
11. They increase the tax base and thus increased government revenue
1. They produce less for export and therefore bop problems continue to be experienced
2. Small scale industries do not enjoy economies of scale because they are high cost firms they
charge consumers high prices- exploit consumers
3. They are not appropriate in some sectors e.g. in the mining sector where heavy machinery is
required
4. They tend to use poor technology and therefore produce poor quality products that are not
marketable locally and internationally
5. They concentrate on the production of consumer goods neglect capital goods that are
necessary for development
6. They yield less revenue to the government because the profits to tax are small
7. They may not solve the mass unemployment in developing countries because they do not
absorb many people are they are small in size.
A large scale firm is one which employs more than 100 employs; capital invested is big and has a high
level of output.
1. They are associated with high levels of output and therefore lead to high rates of economic
growth
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 407
2. Firms enjoy economies of scale hence a low cost of production is experienced
3. The government earns high revenue from the taxes imposed on the big profits earned by the
owners
4. There is use of advanced technology which results in the production of quality goods
5. They create more employment opportunities in the long run thus help in solving the mass
unemployment in Ldcs
6. They improve the export capacity of the nation because of mass and quality production hence
increased foreign exchange earning
7. Large scale industries encourage acquisition of skills through training of labour
8. Encourage development of infrastructure to support the industries
9. Lead to more equitable distribution of income in the long run as more people are to get
employment
10. They promote technological development since they invest in research.
11. More resources are put to use. This promotes economic growth.
This is a form of production technique which uses a big proportion of labour in relation to other
factors of production such as capital. It is also called a capital saving technique of production because
it uses less capital.
1. The productivity per unit of labour is very low and this retards economic growth
2. The technique tends to produce low quality products which makes it difficult to market the
products
3. It is associated with management problems like strikes by the workers, demanding for high
wages which disrupt production
4. It does not encourage high level of skills development
5. The technique is costly in the long run in terms of feeding, providing accommodation, medical
health care etc.
6. It results into under utilisation of resources because of low efficiency
7. The technique does not encourage technological development because limited inventions and
innovations
8. Labour intensive techniques are slow and time consuming. Less output is realised in a given
period of time.
9. It is hard to standardise output using the techniques. This is because the efficiency of labour is
low.
This is a production technique that uses a big proportion of capital in relation to other factors of
production such as labour. It is also called a labour saving technique of production.
1. Limited funds/stock of capital. There is a low level finance to facilitate the purchase the inputs.
2. Limited skilled labour. There is low efficiency in the running of the techniques of production
3. Limited entrepreneurial ability. There few people willing to inject funds in the purchase of
machinery.
4. Low level of innovations and inventions/research. There is limited funding of research to come
up with new technologies hence continuous use of outdated technology.
5. Cultural rigidities/conservatism. Some people are not willing to invest funds in new
technologies.
6. Poor topography. It is difficult to move machines from one place to another since there is poor
infrastructure.
7. Small/limited market for technology and products. There are few people with the capacity to
purchase better technologies due poor.
8. Underdeveloped/poor conditions of infrastructure. There difficulty in moving machines from
one place to another.
INTERMEDIATE TECHNOLOGY
This refers to a method of production which lies between capital intensive and labour intensive
methods of production.
1. Creates employment opportunities. This because many people easily adopt it.
2. It increases productivity of labour. This is because it is more efficient.
3. It saves the scarce foreign exchange. This is due to the limited importation of spare parts.
4. It promotes linkages and hence limited wastage of resources.
5. Promotes exploitation of local resources. This increases the level of resource utilisation.
6. It promotes acquisition of skills by labour force as there is on job training and this increases
productivity of labour.
7. It helps to improve the distribution of income. This because many people are able to use in the
production process which improves their income.
8. It reduces foreign dependence. This is because it reduces importation of spare parts.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 413
9. It produces according to local needs of the people so it reduces wastage.
10. It provides market for the country‟s resources.
1. It is not appropriate inn large scale industries. This is because of its low productivity.
2. It results into production of poor quality products because it is associated with a low level of
efficiency.
3. It does not improve skills of labour. This is because labour does not handle completed and
modern machines.
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
This is a production method which is socially and economically suitable for a given economy/society.
Or
A production method which is in line with development objectives and suits the development level of
an economy.
1. Availability of funds/capital.
2. Level of entrepreneurship.
3. Level of innovations/inventions.
4. External/foreign influence.
5. Government influence on technological development.
6. Market for the technology and products.
7. Cultural factors.
8. Natural factors e.g. topography, soils, etc.
9. Political climate.
10. Degree of corruption.
EDUCATION
Education is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills. This is mainly through formal and informal
education.
1. It is an intangible commodity.
2. Education as an investment
1. Like investment, education involves costs e. g. payment of school fees
2. Education has future returns inform of improved standard of living, wages, etc.
3. Education involves risks and uncertainties e.g. failing exams, unemployment etc.
4. It involves opportunity cost e.g. foregoing leisure, foregoing work etc.
Positive roles
1. Education involves the development of the skills of labour through training and this increases
the productivity of labour
2. It provides direct and indirect employment in fields like teaching, drivers, etc. which improves
their standard of living
3. Education reduces government expenditure on expatriates and therefore saves the country‟s
foreign exchange
4. It encourages inventions and innovations which leads to technological development and
increased industrialisation
5. It leads to increased aggregate demand especially if majority of the population are educated,
this promotes increased investment
6. It breaks cultural ties which retard development since people drop their anti-development ideas
and attitudes
7. Education helps to reduce income inequalities more so when majority of the population are
educated and employed
8. It helps to check the population growth rate as the educated have preference for smaller
families, this increases savings and investment
9. It makes it easy for government to implement policies because the educated are more receptive
to new ideas
1. It leads to rural urban migration since the educated in developing countries prefer to live in
urban areas where better amenities of life are found
2. Education results into income inequalities in developing countries because there few educated
who earn high incomes while the majority are not educated
3. It involves high opportunity cost e.g. long time spent at school and not enjoying leisure
4. Education contributes to Bop problems because of the demonstration effect where the
educated prefer imported luxurious goods increasing foreign exchange expenditure
5. It promotes brain drain as the educated leave their countries for the developed world where
better wages are paid
6. It leads to neglect of agriculture since it prepares the youth for white collar jobs and the
educated prefer leaving in urban centres.
7. Education in developing countries is expensive and affordable by few people leading to few
leading to few elites and the majority illiterate creating dualism in education.
8. When education is provided to the majority of the people gradually it leads to unemployment
especially where there is poor man power planning.
Foreign capital investment refers to the transfer of resources mainly funds from one country to
another either by multinational corporations or from one government to another.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 417
Foreign direct investment refers to the transfer of productive resources or capital by foreign
individuals, companies and multinational corporations in the form of business operations.
Question: Assess the role of foreign capital investment in the development of your country.
Positive role
1. They help in closing the savings-investment gap because local savings are not sufficient to
make meaningful investment, therefore foreign capital investment helps in providing funds for
investment.
2. It helps in closing the foreign exchange gap because foreign exchange generated from exports
is low. It provides the needed foreign exchange for development purposes.
3. It promotes technological development and transfer because the foreign investors come along
with advanced technology which is used to increase production in the country.
4. It enhances creation of more employment opportunities especially where labour intensive
techniques of production are used.
5. It helps in skills development since local manpower is trained in new skills and how to use
modern technology. This increases the productivity of labour.
6. It promotes development of infrastructure e.g. roads, telecommunication etc., which facilities
more investment and production.
7. It facilitates production of a wide variety of goods and services which widen consumer‟s choice
and welfare.
8. Encourages competition which leads to improved efficiency in locally owned firms i.e. the
competition between foreign firms and local firms improves efficiency in the local firms.
Negative role
1. It leads to capital flight by way of profit repatriation which drains the country‟s foreign
exchange.
2. It worsens income inequalities in the country because the few people who are employed are
paid highly compared to those in other sectors.
3. The use of capital intensive techniques results into technological unemployment.
4. Causes BOP problems
5. The excess concessions given to investors in form of tax holidays, tax exemptions reduce the net
befit from private foreign investment.
6. It leads to sectoral or regional imbalance in development due to preference for urban
concentration leading to rural-urban migration and its associated negative effects.
7. There is over exploitation of resources due to use of better technology leading to quick
resource exhaustion.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 419
8. Local firms are outcompeted by the developed and this discourages local investors.
9. There is interference in the political or economic decisions and therefore policies generated are
at times not in favour of the local citizens.
10. There is erosion of cultural or moral values where expatriates staff are used.
11. Worsens economic dependency problem.
12. Promotes rural urban migration and the related problems. Enterprises are mainly established in
urban centres.
13. Contributes to social costs.
(b) Examine the role of multinational corporations in the development of your country.
1. Capital flight.
2. Bop problem.
3. Worsening of economic dependency problem.
4. Unemployment due to use of capital intensive technology.
5. Excessive concessions given sometimes exceed real or net gain.
6. Over exploitation of natural resources.
7. Sectoral/regional imbalance in development.
8. Promote rural – urban migration and related problems/disadvantages.
9. Interference in government decisions.
10. Erosion of cultural and moral values.
11. Worsen income inequality.
12. Contribute to social costs.
transfer.
Technological transfer refers to the shifting or movement of new and efficient techniques of
production from one country to another. Mainly from developed to developing countries.
While
Foreign aid is the international transfer of resources/funds in the form of loans or grants or technical
assistance etc, either directly from one government to another (that is bilateral aid) or indirectly
through the vehicle of a multi – lateral assistance agency like World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund (multi – lateral aid).
Or
Foreign aid is the transfer of resources from one country to another; either directly or through
international agencies. It could be bi-lateral aid or multilateral aid.
Forms of aid
Positive roles:-
1. It fills the savings- investment the gap because the investment requirements exceed the
domestic savings. The funds received are used to finance establishment of enterprises.
2. It fills foreign exchange gap. The foreign exchange requirements for development exceed the
locally available foreign exchange from exports. The foreign exchange received is used to
finance importation of goods.
3. It helps to fill the manpower gap because the skilled manpower requirements in Ldcs exceed
the locally available supply of trained manpower. The aid in form of skilled labour force provides
the needed manpower.
4. It helps to close the technological gap i.e. aid in form of technology enables Ldcs to have access
to better technology and also overcome technological shortages.
5. It helps to close the government-revenue-expenditure gap. Aid in form of funds provides the
needed money to finance budget deficits thus supplementing local revenue.
6. Foreign aid helps in alleviating the effects of catastrophes e.g. famine, floods, etc. The funds
received are used to provide goods and services to those affected by disasters.
7. Foreign aid facilitates the development of infrastructure of a country. Aid in form of equipment
helps in the construction of infrastructure.
1. It creates a burden of debt servicing which denies nationals essential goods and services.
2. Aid to Ldcs has strings attached (tied aid) which are usually not desirable and at times cause
suffering e.g. liberalization of trade, privatization, etc.
3. Undermines capital formation due to debt servicing and payment.
4. It promotes a dependence syndrome. The recipient countries become lazy and always expect
assistance from the international community and as result it reduces the initiative of developing
countries as they are expecting more aid.
5. Aid worsens economic dominance by the donor country over the recipient countries. The donor
countries dictate policies to the disadvantage of the recipient countries.
6. It leads to BOP problems due to the repayment obligations especially for aid that is tied.
7. It causes unemployment. Sometimes technological aid is inappropriate causing unemployment
e.g. aid in form of machinery causes unemployment as workers are laid off.
8. Aid at erodes the socio-cultural values of the recipient country. This is especially the expatriate
staff who interact with local people and introduce negative behaviors.
NB: Tied aid is one which requires the recipient to abide by conditions set by the donor e.g.
i. The recipient country is required to purchase goods from the donor country using the
grant/funds.
ii. Aid given to finance a specific project named by the donor.
iii. The recipient country is required to implement socio-economic and political conditions
dictated by the donor before aid can be given.
Factors which determine the amount of aid given for economic development
1. Availability of funds. The more funds the donor country has the more funds the recipient is likely
to get and vice-versa.
2. The absorptive capacity. A country is given aid which it can use fully and usefully. Absorptive
capacity means the ability of the country to utilise efficiently the aid given to it.
International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. This exchange of goods
and services can be between individuals/companies from different countries or between governments
of different countries. If the exchange of goods and services is between two countries then it is called
bi-lateral trade, if the exchange is between many countries it is called multi-lateral trade.
International trade which involves goods only is called visible trade and trade in services is called
invisible trade. International trade involves two forms i.e. import and export trade.
1. High output is realised. It allows international specialisation in that countries are able to
produce the commodity in which they have the greatest advantage.
2. It enables a country to import from other countries the goods and services it cannot produce
locally due to lack of resources.
3. It is a source of government revenue. Taxes are imposed on imports and exports.
4. It expands employment opportunities. The expansion of production enterprises and increased
resource utilisation increases employment opportunities.
5. There is production of quality goods. International trade creates a competitive atmosphere
between countries in the production of goods in order to attract market hence leading to
production of quality goods.
6. It makes dumping possible. This provides countries an opportunity to dispose of-surplus output
which minimises resource wastage.
7. It enhances international relations and understanding. This enables countries help one another
in case of disasters, war, etc. and also further trade in goods and services.
8. Provides variety of goods. This is because are many countries involved in production of goods
and this widens consumer choice.
9. Improves efficiency of local firms. Efficiency of domestic firms is due to exposure to competition
from international firms.
10. Promotes specialisation and its benefits. The need to produce for the wider market results into
use of machines and this causes a large amount of goods to be produced.
11. Enables the country to acquire new ideas and values. As people of different countries interact
there is exchange of ideas and this enables people adopt new ways of doing business.
1. Importation of technology and capital reduces the indigenous spirit of inventiveness and
innovativeness which reduces the rate of growth.
2. Causes imported inflation. It may lead to imported inflation which results in local population
consuming commodities expensively.
3. It can lead to balance of payment problems in situations where poor terms of trade are
experienced.
4. It can lead to importation of harmful commodities which can easily worsen the health
conditions of individuals in a country.
5. Exhaustion of non-renewable resources due to over exploitation. This is the case where there is
high demand for a given commodity.
PROTECTIONISM
Protectionism refers to the commercial policy of safe guarding the national interest through
restrictions on international trade. It involves government interference with the free movement of
goods and services across a nation‟s boundary. Protectionism involves restrictions on imports and
exports through tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Tariffs. These are taxes imposed on imports and exports. They are therefore import or export duties.
Non-tariff barriers. These are qualitative and quantitative restrictions on the amount of goods that
may enter or live a country. They include:
1. Quotas. These are quantitative restrictions on imported and exported goods. In this case the
amount that may enter or leave country is laid down.
2. Total ban/Embargo. In this case the country stops the importation or exportation of certain
commodities. In this case there is a law prohibiting the flow of such goods to and from the
country.
Commercial policy
Disadvantages of protectionism
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 434
1. It subjects nationals to highly priced goods. It subjects nationals to highly priced goods because
levying taxes increases prices of goods and services which reduce their consumption.
2. Encourages inefficiency in protected firms. It encourages inefficiency in protected firms since
the firms that are shielded from competition become high cost firms and there is inefficient
utilisation of resources.
3. It subjects nationals to poor quality goods. It subjects nationals to poor quality goods as there is
limited/no competition in production as well as use of poor technology.
4. It encourages monopoly tendencies in the local market. It encourages monopoly tendencies
because the protected firms monopolise the local and supply less output to the market at high
prices.
5. It limits variety of goods. It subjects nationals to limited range of products thus limiting choice.
6. Protected firms have a tendency of remaining infant so as to continue benefiting from
government protection and therefore remain inefficient.
7. It is an expensive exercise since it calls for subsidisation. It is an expensive exercise since it calls
for subsidisation of firms yet some countries do not have sufficient revenue to sustain this.
8. Protected firms hold government at ransom to continue reaping high profits. I.e. they continue
to benefit from the protection even when they are getting high profits.
9. Results into reduced government revenue. It results into reduced government revenue in case
protectionism is carried out over a wide range of commodities as revenue obtained is no longer
realised (taxes on imported goods).
10. It encourages retaliation from other countries. It encourages retaliation from other countries as
they also seek to minimise on the benefits of the practising country (beggarmy-neighbour
policy) a move that reduces benefits from international trade.
11. It encourages trade mal-practices. It encourages trade mal-practices such as black marketing,
smuggling etc. as sellers try to take advantage of price differences which leads to loss of
revenue on the side of government.
FREE TRADE
Free trade refers to unrestricted trade in goods and services between countries. The policy of free
trade implies non-intervention of government in international trade. It is a situation in which there are
no artificial barriers in form of quotas and tariffs to the movement of goods and services between
countries and government allows trade to take its own course.
Uganda 1 8 20
Kenya 1 10 40
In the illustration above Kenya has absolute advantage in over Uganda in the production of both
wheat and bananas.
According to the comparative advantage principle given two countries and two commodities using
the same amount of resources a country should specialise in the production of a commodity where
it has the least opportunity cost than the other . Even if a country has absolute advantage in the
production of two or more commodities, it should concentrate on the production of the commodity in
which it has least opportunity/real cost.
Uganda 1 8 20
Kenya 1 10 40
For the countries to benefit from international trade, each country should specialise in the production
of a commodity where it incurs less opportunity cost i.e. where a country loses less by producing the
other commodity. Using the illustration above, whereas Kenya has absolute advantage in the
production of both commodities it may not have comparative advantage in the two commodities
hence the need to specialise in one of the commodities so that exchange can take place between
Uganda and Kenya.
Uganda
20/8 = 2.5
For every 1 tonne of wheat produced 2.5 tons of bananas are foregone.
8/20 = 0.4
For every 1 tonne of bananas produced, 0.4 tons of wheat are foregone.
40/10 = 4
10/40 = 0.25
For every 1 tonne of bananas produced, 0.25 tons of wheat are foregone.
Kenya 4 0.25
From the illustration above, Kenya has comparative advantage over Uganda in the production of
bananas while Uganda has comparative advantage over Kenya in the production of wheat.
1. It assumes there are only two countries in the world involved in international trade i.e. Uganda
and Kenya.
The theory of comparative advantage makes unrealistic assumptions and has been criticised basing
on the following:
1. The basis that the world is composed of two countries only is unrealistic. There are more than
two countries involved in international trade.
2. Producing two commodities only is unrealistic because countries produce a wide range of
goods and services and trade is therefore multilateral rather than bilateral.
3. Similar tastes do not exist between countries because tastes differ with different groups in a
country and between countries. As a country grows tastes and preferences also change.
4. It ignores transport costs yet they form a significant part in determining the pattern of world
trade.
5. The theory assumes that factors of production are perfectly mobile internally and immobile
externally which is unrealistic because even within the same country factors of production do
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 442
not move freely from industry to another or from region to another. The greater the degree of
specialisation of a factor the more immobile it becomes.
6. The basis of free trade is unrealistic because countries apply restrictions on the free movement
of goods and services in form of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
7. The assumption of full employment is unrealistic because in the case of developing countries
unemployment exists in various forms e.g. disguised, seasonal unemployment etc.
8. It neglects the role of technological advancements yet they help increase the supply of goods
not only for the domestic market but also for international markets. As technology improves it
may cause a change in comparative advantage between the two countries.
9. Specialisation according to comparative advantage means that developing countries should
specialise in primary products. This would subject developing countries to eternal poverty due
to unfavourable terms of trade.
10. The assumption that all factors of production are homogeneous is unrealistic because some
labour is skilled the other semi-skilled and unskilled labour. They therefore have different
efficiencies.
11. It ignores the existence of different currencies used in international trade yet some currencies
have more value than others and therefore countries cannot benefit in the same way.
12. It ignores the possibility of absolute cost advantage.
13. It ignores the need for self-reliance by countries. This means a country has to depend on other
countries for what it does not produce.
14. It assumes that demand is elastic yet demand for agricultural products is inelastic.
15. It ignores the existence of diminishing returns/assumes constant returns to scale. Production on
land involves diminishing returns and this minimises the benefits of international trade.
16. It ignores the possibility of change in comparative advantage. When there is a change in
comparative advantage it becomes difficult to for country to change to the production of a new
commodity.
Or
Terms of trade refers to the rate at which a country‟s exports exchange against its imports.
Or
It is the relationship between the price index of exports and the price index of imports.
It represents the units of domestically produced goods foregone to secure one unit of imported
goods.
When prices of imports are greater than prices of exports the terms of trade are said to be
unfavourable.
When prices of exports continuously exceed the prices of imports for a long time the terms of trade
are said to be improving and when prices of imports continuously exceed the prices of exports for a
long period of time the terms of trade are said to be deteriorating. This means that terms of trade are
unfavourable year after year.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 444
Types of terms of trade
1. Net barter terms of trade. This refers to the ratio of price index of exports to the price index of
imports.
It is given by the formula: Price index of exports
Using the above formula when the figure obtained is less than 1 the country is faced with
unfavourable terms of trade and when greater than 1 the terms of trade is favourable.
2. Income or monetary terms of trade. This refers to the ratio of the value of exports to the price
index of imports. It shows how much a country can import using incomes from exports.
1. The low income elasticity of demand for primary products. It is low because primary products
especially food stuff are required in fixed quantities and an increase in income of the people in
developed countries does not lead to an equal increase in their demand. There the output on
the market is sold at low prices.
7. The weak bargaining power in the international market due stiff competition among the
producing countries. This means that the developing countries accept the low prices offered to
them by the developed countries so as to have their products bought.
8. There is market flooding with agricultural products. This leads to low prices being offered
because developing countries tend to produce in large quantities similar products without
controlling output.
9. The low quality of exports due to use of poor technology, poor skills results into producers
getting low prices for their commodities since the products cannot easily compete with those
from the developed world.
11. Prices of imports have continued to rise because among other things high fuel costs,
technological advancements etc. and for this reason the importing countries pay higher prices.
12. The existence of unfavourable exchange rates between the developing and developed
countries. The currencies of developing countries are weaker than those of the developed
countries which is to the disadvantage of the developing countries. Because they make exports
cheap and imports become expensive.
1. Diversify primary exports. There should be introduction of industrial exports in order to reduce
dependence on few traditional exports whose terms of trade keep on fluctuating.
2. Process primary exports to add value, this can be achieved through industrialisation so that
producers fetch higher prices.
3. Diversify markets/join/strengthen regional cooperation. This should be done to widen market
for commodities.
4. Strengthening commodity agreements. This should be done especially for those countries
producing similar goods in order to increase their bargaining power.
5. Encourage importation from cheaper sources so that developing countries purchase
commodities at fair prices.
6. Encourage import substitution. This should done by using investment incentives to encourage
establishment of industries in the country so as to make it possible for developing countries to
reduce importation of highly priced goods since theses goods are domestically available.
7. Improve quality of exports. This should be through establishment of industries in which better
technology and skills are used. This results into better prices being paid for the commodities.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 447
8. Negotiating for removal of trade barriers in export markets. This should be done so that
developing countries are able to access wider markets in the developed world.
9. Stabilise the foreign exchange rates through central bank interventions in the foreign exchange
markets.
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS (BOP)
Balance of payments refers to the difference between country‟s receipts/income from abroad and
expenditure/payments abroad during a given time.
Or
Or
Balance of payments is defined as the financial record of a country‟s transactions with the rest of the
world during a given period.
OR
It the difference between receipts from both visible and invisible exports and payments for both
visible and invisible imports of a country during a given period and it includes capital inflows and
outflows.
It shows the relationship between the countries total expenditure abroad and total income from
abroad in a given year. When the county‟s receipts from abroad exceed expenditure/payments
abroad then a favourable BOP is realised i.e. a country enjoys a BOP surplus. On the other hand if a
country‟s payments abroad exceed earnings from abroad then an unfavourable BOP is realised (BOP
surplus).
This is the part of the BOP account which in records of the total exports and imports (both visible
and invisible) of a country is found.
The difference between the value of the country‟s exports and visible imports is called the balance of
trade or the visible trade account.
The invisible trade account records all earnings from exports of intangible commodities or services
and payments for import of services. The difference is called invisible balance of trade.
These are in terms of capital inflows and outflows, borrowing from foreign countries and lending to
foreign countries. It also includes direct investment in foreign countries and indirect invest (portfolio
investment) in other countries bonds and treasury bills. The difference between inflow and outflow of
capital gives the BOP on capital account.
The monetary/cash account
This account shows the records of the official foreign exchange reserves in response to the current
and capital accounts. It is a statement that shows a deficit or surplus in the BOP account and how
each can be off set to attain BOP equilibrium.
It records all the total errors and omissions during the compilation of the BOP account . This is the
balancing part of the BOP account
NB: The BOP account should always balance but this is not always the case especially in developing
countries. Ldcs normally experience BOP deficits/problems/disequilibrium. Therefore the errors and
omissions account is used to make the necessary adjustments.
1. The low volume of exports. Ldcs export few products to developed world /external markets and
worse still dominated by primary products these fetch low prices and therefore low foreign
exchange is earned.
2. There is exportation of low quality products because of using poor technology and less skilled
manpower as result the products cannot compete favourably internationally and earn less
foreign exchange since low prices are charged.
1. Reduction in volume of imports. As spending on imports increases over time the capacity to
import decreases because the country earns less from exports to support importation.
2. Limited employment opportunities. Spending heavily on imports results into less employment
at home since there is low demand for local products and hence firms employ few people.
3. Disinvestment may arise. Firms prefer to relocate their investments elsewhere where there
better possibilities of exporting more.
4. Leads to inflation. This occurs when the country imports from inflation hit countries.
5. Encourages currency depreciation. Too much importation leads to high foreign exchange
expenditure abroad and scarcity of foreign exchange in the local economy and this causes
depreciation of the local currency.
6. Retards economic growth and development. The increase in demand for imports results into
low level of production by the local firms since there is low demand for their products this leads
to a low level of economic growth.
7. Increases external borrowing/dependency. External borrowing in order to finance importation
of goods since the country has low foreign exchange from exports.
8. Limits savings and investment. The high level of expenditure on imports leaves individuals with
low incomes for savings and investment.
9. Leads to shortage of foreign exchange. There is shortage of foreign exchange in the country
because a lot of it is spent on purchasing imports yet less is earned from exports.
Measures that should be taken to improve the BOP position of developing countries.
1. Use trade restrictions. These check the amount imported into the country and reduce foreign
exchange expenditure abroad.
2. Promote import substitution industrialisation using investment incentives to encourage
establishment of industries in the economy. This should be done to reduce the foreign
exchange expenditure abroad/saves the scarce foreign exchange.
3. Diversify export markets through joining regional integration. This reduces reliance on few
export markets and therefore increases foreign exchange earnings from the various markets as
there is an increase in the bargaining poor for higher prices.
4. Increase volume of exports by encouraging industries using investment incentives. This should
be done to increase foreign exchange earnings from abroad as the quantity for sale increases.
5. Diversify exports. This should be done to reduce reliance on few export commodities and help
to increase the foreign exchange earnings.
6. Stabilise political atmosphere. This should be done to reduce huge expenditure on importation
of military hardware.
7. Manpower development to reduce expenditure on experts.
8. Restructure foreign mission and reduce foreign travels by government officials. This has the
benefit of reducing foreign exchange expenditure abroad.
9. Strengthen/join commodity agreements to increase bargaining power in export markets. This
results into fair prices and high foreign exchange earnings.
10. Appeal for debt relief/debt conversion. This should be done to reduce government spending on
paying debts.
DEVALUATION
Devaluation refers to the legal reduction of the country‟s currency value in terms of other currencies.
OR
It is the deliberate measure taken by government to reduce the value of her local currency in terms of
other currencies. The local currency becomes cheaper or of less value while foreign currencies
become expensive or of high value.
1. The domestic demand for imports should be elastic since devaluation makes imports expensive
so that their demand reduces.
2. The demand for exports in the foreign markets should be elastic so that there is increased
demand for exports.
3. The supply of exports in the devaluing country should be elastic as devaluation reduces the
prices of exports which increase their demand in the foreign markets.
4. Other countries should not retaliate as this neutralises the benefits of devaluation.
5. The rate of inflation should be low so that the prices of exports are kept low so as to increase
their demand in the international market.
6. There should be political stability so that there is continued production for exports and reduced
expenditure abroad.
7. There should be limited/no restrictions on trade by the developed or trading partners. This
increases accessibility to foreign markets.
8. There should be a fixed exchange rate system so that producers and exporters can predict
earnings from exports.
9. There should not be smuggling of commodities out of the country. Once there is smuggling of
goods out of the country less foreign exchange is earned.
1. The demand for exports is price inelastic it means that even when the prices of exports reduce
there is no significant increase in demand and therefore there is less foreign exchange earned.
2. Existence of inelastic demand for imports. When the demand for imports is inelastic there is no
significant reduction in the demand for imports and foreign exchange expenditure remains
high.
3. Presence of inelastic supply of exports. This results from insufficient supply of factors of
production such as capital to exploit the country‟s resources so as meet international demand.
The country therefore exports less despite the increase in the demand for exports
4. Existence of political instability which disrupts production and also contributes to increased
government expenditure on non-productive fire arms.
5. There is a high marginal propensity to import by the devaluing countries since productive
capacity is low and there is high demonstration effect. This means the country continues to
import large volume of commodities.
6. Presence of high inflation. This results into high export prices and hence low demand for the
products.
7. Most countries do not operate a fixed exchange rate system that is a precondition for the
success of devaluation i.e. they operate floating/multiple exchange rate systems. Therefore
there is high uncertainty in the economy which discourages investment.
8. There are trade restrictions such as quotas, quality controls, etc. which limits the amount of
commodities that developing countries are able to sell in the foreign markets.
9. The presence of weak administrative machinery to implement the policy due to absence of
sufficient skilled manpower.
10. There is inability to produce cheaper commodities that are able to compete at the international
level. This is because of the poor technology used.
11. The fear of the possibility of other countries retaliating which makes it impossible for
developing countries to benefit substantially.
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
This refers to the coming together of two or more countries in a given region for the sake of mutual
benefit of all member states.
Or
Economic integration refers to the merging to various degrees the economies and economic policies
of two or more countries in a given region for the mutual benefit of member countries.
Examples of economic integration include COMESA, ECOWAS, North America free Trade Area,
European Union, etc.
2. Free Trade Area. This stage involves abolition of trade barriers which enables free movement of
goods among member countries however each member country retains its own tariff structure
on non-member countries.
3. Customs Union. This stage involves free movement of goods and services into member
countries and adoption of a common external tariff structure against non-member countries.
4. Common Market. It involves free movement of goods and services, a common external tariff
structure and free movement of factors of production e.g. labour, capital and entrepreneurship.
5. Economic Union. This stage involves elimination of all tariffs among member countries,
adoption of uniform tariff structure on commodities for non-member countries, free mobility of
factors of production, adoption of harmonious economic policy, etc.
1. The countries/intending members must be relatively at the same level of development or else
resources will move from a less developed country to which is more developed.
2. Countries should be in the same region or share common borders to maximise gains. This
reduces the cost of transport between the trading partners.
3. The members or intending countries should have similar political and economic ideology e.g.
multi-party system/market economy etc. This makes the harmonisation of political and
economic policies easy.
4. The members or intending countries should be of approximately the same population size or
market size. This makes it possible for countries to equitably benefit from the integration.
5. The countries should be ready to maintain good political ties or relations among themselves.
This eases trade between the countries.
1. There is trade creation. This is when after economic integration member countries shift from
high cost goods of non-member states to low cost goods produced by member states. This
reduces foreign exchange expenditure.
2. There is an expansion of market for goods and services. This because of the rise in the number
of consumers which increases profits.
3. There is a reduction in duplication of resources/goods. This is because production is according
to comparative advantage.
4. It encourages specialisation among member countries and the associated advantages, such
increased production quality improvement since production is according to comparative
advantage.
1. It leads to trade diversion. This is a situation where after economic integration member states
shit from low cost produced goods of non-member states to high cost goods produced by
member states.
The results among others include
1. Developing countries tend to produce similar goods and this reduces the incentive for countries
to integrate. This is because there is limited exchange of goods.
2. The failure to share benefits equally or the fear of unequal distribution of benefits. This results in
the reluctance of the-would-be members to join the integration.
3. There is fear to lose customs revenue since the countries heavily depend on tax revenue.
4. The existence of political instability in some countries or regions makes it difficult to carry out
trade.
5. Differences in economic policies make the harmonisation of the partnership difficult.
6. Differences in the levels of development make the less developed countries reluctant to join for
fear of being exploited.
7. Differences in social factors e.g. culture, region etc. which make communication and trade in
certain items difficult.
8. In some cases there are conflicts among leaders. Some of the leaders are therefore reluctant to
adopt agreed upon aspects.
9. Different currencies have different strengths which make exchange difficult.
10. There are external influences/interferences especially from the developed countries which try to
sabotage efforts of the intending countries for personal reasons.
11. Lack of political will/support because some leaders are reluctant to commit themselves basing
on nationalistic grounds or the fear to lose sovereignty.
12. Poor infrastructure among countries. This limits the ability of countries to conduct trade among
them because accessibility to markets is difficult.
13. Limited geographical proximity between countries. The long distance between some countries
makes trade difficult because it leads to high transport costs.
14. Differences in the market/population size. Some countries have bigger market and this makes
them earn more than other countries.
15. Differences in political ideology.
Exchange rate refers to the rate at which the domestic currency is exchanged for other currencies.
OR
This is on in which the rate at which the local currency exchanges for other currencies is determined
and maintained by the central monetary authority (in relation to a particular foreign currency). The
rate can either be fixed below or above the equilibrium exchange rate as illustrated below:
When the exchange rate is fixed above equilibrium it is called devaluation (R 1) while if it is fixed below
equilibrium it is called revaluation (R2).
1. It encourages capital inflow since it limits uncertainties in the foreign exchange market.
2. It encourages discipline among monetary authorities i.e. there is controlled issuing of the
foreign currencies.
3. Helps to stabilise value of the domestic and foreign currencies.
1. It is associated with high administrative costs in that government has to employ people to
oversee the compliance with exchange rate set.
2. It is not appropriate in terms as it may cause inflation especially when there is high capital
inflow.
This is one in which the rate at which the local currency exchanges for other currencies is determined
by market forces of demand and supply in the foreign exchange market. It is as illustrated below:
Re is the equilibrium exchange rate at which the demand and supply of foreign currency are equal. The
exchange rate is flexible because it can rise all fall depending upon the supply and demand for foreign
currency.
If the demand exceeds supply the exchange rate increases and if the supply exceeds the demand the
exchange rate falls.
Currency appreciation refers to the increase in the country‟s currency value in terms of other
currencies as influenced by the forces of demand and supply in the foreign exchange market.
Whereas
Currency depreciation refers to the decrease in the country‟s currency value in terms of other
currencies caused by the forces of demand and supply in the foreign exchange market.
1. It discourages investment.
2. Leads to unfavourable terms of trade/makes imports expensive.
3. Projected planning is made difficult.
4. Leads to loss of confidence in the local currency/Loss of government popularity.
5. Increases the volume of exports/reduces BOP problem.
6. Increases foreign capital inflow.
7. It encourages speculation.
8. Worsens the external debt burden.
9. Leads to inflation.
10. Exporters gain high local currency revenue.
1. It encourages speculation in the foreign exchange market which is not good for business i.e.
anticipating gains is difficult.
2. It is inflationary in nature.
3. It creates uncertainty among the businessmen which negatively affects international trade.
4. It makes planning difficult since prices change from time to time.
This is one in which the forces of demand and supply determine the rate at which the local currency
exchanges for the other currencies but within limits set by the monetary authority/central bank.
1. The volume of the domestic output. The higher the output the stronger the local currency
and vice versa.
2. The rate of domestic money supply. The higher the rate of domestic supply of money supply
the weaker the local currency and vice versa.
3. Volume of exports. The higher the volume of exports the stronger the local currency and vice
versa.
4. Volume of imports. The higher the volume of imports the weaker the local currency and vice
versa.
Foreign exchange rate control refers to where the state/monetary authority regulates the rate at
which the local currency exchanges for foreign currencies.
1. To stabilise exchange rates. This is achieved by the government intervening in the foreign
exchange market through buying and selling the foreign currencies.
2. To achieve price stability/control inflation. By stabilising the foreign exchange prices in the local
market are stabilised.
3. To encourage investment. With stable exchange rate investment is encouraged since
uncertainty is minimised.
4. To control the importation and consumption of undesirable goods. In this case the government
makes it difficult for importers to access foreign exchange.
5. To discourage speculation in the foreign exchange market. This is achieved by the government
using a fixed exchange rate system.
6. To encourage long term planning. By stabilising the exchange rate planning by government
becomes easy since prices are stable and there is no need to revise plans from time to time.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 468
7. To protect domestic industries. This involves government making it difficult for importers to
access foreign exchange which limits importation of commodities into the country.
8. To check capital flight/control capital outflow. This involves government setting a rate that
makes it less attractive to transfer funds to other countries.
9. To ensure availability of foreign exchange so as to enable government and private individuals
access essential commodities/facilitate trade.
10. To acquire foreign exchange to service debts.
11. To improve on the country‟s BOP position by controlling imports and encouraging exports.
12. To earn revenue to the government under a multiple exchange rate system due to price
discrimination.
1. It helps in preventing unstable capital outflow. This is because of the stability of exchange rates.
2. It helps to improve the BOP position of a country by restricting imports.
3. It ensures stability in the value of the domestic currency.
4. It encourages investment. A stable foreign exchange rate makes it easy to predict profits and
this encourages investment.
5. It discourages speculation in the foreign exchange markets and this promotes trade.
6. It encourages long term planning because of the elimination of speculation and improved
stability in the foreign exchange market.
7. It checks importation of undesirable goods. This is achieved when government limits
accessibility to foreign exchange by the importers.
8. It ensures stability in the foreign exchange market. This makes it easy to carry out international
trade Disadvantages
Factors that influence/determine the demand and supply of foreign currency in Uganda
1. Price of imports. The higher the price of imports the lower the demand and supply for foreign
currency because few people are involved in import trade and vice versa when the price for
imports is high.
2. Volume of imports. The higher the volume of imports the higher the demand and supply of
foreign currency since more foreign exchange is needed to effect transaction.
3. Debt servicing requirements. The higher the need to service debts the higher the demand for
foreign exchange
4. Government‟s external obligations. The more external obligations the higher the demand for
foreign exchange and vice versa.
5. Corporate repatriation needs. The higher the level of corporate repatriation the higher demand
for demand for foreign currencies and vice versa.
6. Central bank intervention. The central bank intervenes in the foreign exchange market by
buying and selling foreign currencies. When the central bank buys foreign currencies there is a
decrease in supply of foreign currencies since there is withdraw of foreign currencies while when
the government sells foreign currencies there is an increase in supply of foreign currencies.
7. Government‟s external borrowing for consumption. A low level of borrowing for consumption
leads to low supply of foreign exchange while when there is high level of borrowing there is an
increase in supply of foreign currencies.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 470
8. Price of exports. The higher the price of exports the higher the supply of foreign currencies since
there is an increase in foreign exchange earnings while low prices lead to
9. Volume of exports. The bigger the volume of exports the higher the supply of foreign exchange
because of the increased foreign exchange earnings while a small volume of exports results
into low supply of foreign exchange because of low foreign exchange earnings.
10. Need to accumulate reserves. The higher the need to accumulate reserves the lower the supply
of foreign exchange and vice versa.
11. Capital inflow. The higher the rate of capital inflow the higher the supply of foreign exchange
and vice versa.
12. Level of inflow of grants/donations.
1. Retrenchment/demobilisation/cost sharing.
2. Liberalisation.
3. Privatisation.
4. Devaluation.
5. Improvement of tax collection/introducing new taxes.
6. Promotion of export diversification.
7. Agricultural modernisation.
TRADE LIBERALISATION
Trade liberalisation refers to the removal of unnecessary controls on trade hence giving people the
liberty to trade without undue government controls.
Or
It is the removal of unnecessary restrictions to trade (by relaxing the use of instruments such as quota,
total ban, tariffs and administrative control) in order to give people opportunity for increased
participation in trade/to increase value, volume and benefits of trade.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 472
Merits of trade liberalisation
1. Increased employment opportunities. The increase in the number of business enterprises results
into more employment opportunities.
2. Increased level of output hence increased growth rates.
3. Encourages resource(s) utilisation. The increase in the number of enterprises results into a
higher level of resource use.
4. Encourages inventions and innovations/technological transfer/technological development.
Investors improve technology through research and this causes improvement in the quality of
output.
5. Competition forces firms to be efficient in order to remain in business.
6. Improves quality of goods. This results from competition between firms and better technology
used in production.
7. Increases revenue to government. This is through taxation and this enables government to fulfil
its budget obligation.
8. Fights corruption. Private individuals are profit oriented and therefore ensure good
accountability in business undertakings.
9. Tends to control (structural) inflation. The large number firms involved in production provide a
large volume goods and this minimises shortage of goods.
10. Improved BOP position. The increase in the number of producers increases availability of
commodities and reduces expenditure on imports and exports are encouraged which increases
foreign exchange earnings.
11. Reduces income and wealth inequalities among people and regions. This is because it accords
many people the opportunity to engage in production improving their earnings.
12. Encourages foreign investment/inflow of capital/resources. The reduced participation of
government in business encourages investors to do business as this promotes fair competition
in business.
13. Upholds consumer sovereignty. Private individuals produce what is demanded by the
consumers.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 473
14. Increased infrastructural development. This makes accessibility to inputs and markets easy.
15. Improves relations with other countries especially donors. This promotes trade between
countries.
16. Promotes economic diversification. This results from the many business enterprises started and
this brings about economic stability.
17. Promotes entrepreneurship skills. The people who start their businesses acquire skills to
manage the businesses.
18. Helps to develop labour skills. Demerits of trade liberalisation
1. Makes the economy susceptible to instabilities especially price fluctuations. This is because
individual producers set their own prices in order to maximise profits.
2. Leads to collapse of local firms since some of them are outcompeted by the more established
foreign firms that produce better quality products.
3. It leads to unemployment. When some businesses are pushed out of production the employees
lose jobs.
4. There is a danger of resource misallocation. Production mainly targets the production of
commodities demanded by the rich at the expense of the poor.
5. There is wastage of resources due to duplication.
6. Depletion of some resources due to over exploitation. Some businesses are profit oriented and
over exploit resources in a bid to maximise profits.
7. Flooding of markets sometimes force prices to go very low to unacceptable levels.
8. Distortion of consumer choice due to persuasive advertisement/intensive sales promotional
activities.
9. Consumer exploitation due to ignorance.
10. Encourages capital outflows. This is mainly by the foreign investors who repatriate profits.
11. May give rise to monopoly and its associated evils. When some firms are pushed out of business
those that remain monopolise the market and exploit consumers.
12. Leads to increased exposure of consumers to harmful products. This because of limited
regulation of production of some commodities by the government.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 474
13. Leads to income and wealth inequalities. Production is mainly undertaken by the rich who
accumulate wealth and become richer.
14. Environmental degradation is accelerated. This is mainly by the profit hungry producers who
over exploit the resources.
15. Leads to foreign economic dominance.
PUBLIC FINANCE
This deals with financial activities of the government and public authorities. It is the study of how the
government raises money and how it spends. The study of public revenue is divided into the
following:
1. Public revenue. This involves studying the methods of raising public revenue and the principles
of taxation.
2. Public expenditure. This involves studying the principles and effects of public expenditure on
the economy.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 475
3. Public debt management. This involves studying the causes and methods of public borrowing
as well as public debt management.
4. Financial administration. This involves studying the preparation and execution of the budget.
5. Fiscal policy. This involves government use of taxation, borrowing and government expenditure
to regulate the level of economic activities in the country.
PUBLIC REVENUE
This refers to the funds received by the government from different sources. Government undertakes
various activities and therefore needs income to fund these activities. The main sources of
government can be categorized into two. (a) Tax revenue and (b) Non-tax revenue.
Tax revenue
This is derived from various sources i.e. direct and indirect taxes.
TAXATION
A tax is a compulsory non-quid-pro-quo payment made to the government for the purpose of
administering certain services to the public as a whole.
OR
A tax is a compulsory transfer of money from private individuals, institutions or groups to the
government.
A tax is a compulsory contribution to the states revenue assessed and imposed by a government on
individuals and business enterprises.
Canons/principles of taxation
1. Canon of equity. Every person should be taxed according to his ability to pay i.e. the rich should
pay more and the poor less and for this reason taxes should be progressive in nature. Equity is
either horizontal or vertical. Vertical equity means treating people differently so that high
income earners pay high taxes than low income earners.
2. Canon of certainty. The time of payment, the manner of payment and the amount to be paid
should all be clear to the tax payer and collector. The amount of tax to pay should be known and
not arbitrarily determined.
3. Canon of convenience. The time and mode of payment of the tax should be so fixed that it
makes it easy for the tax payer to pay. E.g. a tax should be collected when one has income e.g. at
the end of the month.
4. Cheapness/economy. The cost of collecting or administering tax collection should be as low as
possible. I.e. the cost of collecting taxes should be smaller/low in proportion to the amount to
be collected.
5. Simplicity. The nature of the tax, its assessment and collection should be straight forward and
understood by both the tax payer and collector. This helps avoid hostility between the tax
payers and the collectors.
6. Elasticity/buoyancy. A good tax should be flexible, i.e. it should be capable of easily being
altered to meet the changing financial requirements of government.
7. Productivity. A good tax should be able to encourage effort and initiatives and should not
discourage investment.
8. Neutrality. There should be no discrimination in taxation on the basis of tribe, race, religion, etc.
The tax should treat different categories according to their income.
Classification of taxes
1. Proportional tax. This is where whatever the income the same rate or percentage is paid from
ones income. Or where the rate of tax is constant for all tax payers regardless of the level of
income. E.g. 10% of one‟s monthly income.
Tax rate
R0
0 y1 y2 Income
In the illustration the same rate of tax is paid irrespective of the changes in income from y 1 – y2.
2. Progressive tax. This is a tax whose percentage rate increases as the income of an individual
increases. I.e. as the income increases the tax also increases gradually and vice versa. It has the
following effects: - yields high revenue to government, ensures equitable distribution of
income, favours the low income earners and helps to fight demand pull inflation.
R2
Y2 y1 Income
In the illustration above as income increases from y 1 – y2 the
rate also increases from R1 –
R2
3. Regressive tax. This is one whose percentage rate decreases as the income increases. i.e.
as the income of a person increases the tax rate reduces.
Tax rate
R1
R2
y1 y2 Income
4. Digressive tax. This is where the percentage rate increases with increases with income, however
it tends to be uniform after a certain income level has been reached.
Types of taxes
Direct taxes
1. They ensure equitable distribution of income. This is because they are progressive in nature
since the rich pay more than the poor e.g. pay as you earn.
2. They have an element of certainty. They are more predictable by both the tax payer and tax
collectors. Tax payers know the amount and the time to pay the taxes.
3. They are flexible. This is because they can easily be increased or reduced depending on the
financial requirements of the country.
4. They are productive. They help government generate revenue and therefore a small increase in
tax yields a lot of revenue.
5. They influence resource allocation e.g. corporate taxes.
1. They are discriminative because they are not paid by all; some groups are exempted from
paying. Hence less revenue is realised.
2. High direct taxes discourage effort and hard work e.g. high corporate taxes discourage
industrialists since their profits significantly reduced.
3. They are associated with high incidents of evasion and avoidance as a result they lead to low
revenue on the part of government.
4. They are arbitrarily determined/are unfair. The assessment and collection are harsh and cruel.
This creates resentment among the people hence low revenue is generated.
5. High direct taxes reduce aggregate demand. This is because they reduce disposable income
and this discourages investment.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 483
6. They are uneconomical. The cost of collecting them is very high/high cost of
administration/high government expenditure on collection.
7. Lead to inflation e.g. cost push inflation. As the government imposes taxes on employees they
request for wage increment and this causes wage push inflation.
8. They lead to resource diversion from highly taxed activities to sometimes non-productive
ventures which are not taxed e.g. high corporate taxes.
9. Direct taxes are easily noticeable by the public and therefore can cause political and social
unrest.
10. They hinder the expansion of firms since profits are taxed that would have been ploughed back.
Indirect taxes
These are taxes imposed on commodities and the burden can be shifted by the tax payer on to
another party wholly or partially in form of high prices e.g. import tax, export tax, etc. They
include:
1. Excise duty. This is a tax imposed on the production of commodities whether they are meant for
local consumption or export.
2. Customs duty. This is the tax imposed on the import and export of commodities. They are of
two types;
(i) Export duty. This is a tax on those commodities that are leaving the country for
countries abroad.
(ii) Import duty. This is a tax imposed on those commodities entering a country e.g.
cars, cosmetics.
3. Sales tax. This is a tax levied on the level of transactions which take place between the seller and
the buyer of a particular commodity in a country weather produced locally or imported.
4. Value added tax. This is a tax which is imposed on the improvement made on product at
different stages of production.
5. Sumptuary tax. It is a tax which is imposed on the consumption of goods in the country usually
to discourage the consumption of certain commodities.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 484
6. Octori tax. This is a tax levied on the goods in transit from one state through the territory of
another state.
1. They are productive. A small increase in the tax rate results into high government revenue and
therefore contributes more to government revenue.
2. They are economic because the cost of collecting them is small since the producers and sellers
deposit them with the government.
3. They are comprehensive in nature because they can be levied on a wide variety of goods and
they do not discriminate.
4. Indirect taxes are associated with low evasion. This is because they are imbedded in the price.
5. They are flexible. They are therefore easy to adjust depending on the financial needs and
economic conditions of the country.
6. They are instrumental in checking the production and consumption of harmful products. Once
imposed on commodities they become expensive which reduces their demand.
7. They help to protect infant industries byway of using high import duties to discourage imports
since the commodities become expensive.
8. They help to improve the BOP position of the country. High import duties discourage imports
and low export duties encourage exports.
9. They are less felt and resented because they are imbedded in the price.
10. They lead to easy redistribution of income. This is when they are selectively imposed for
example high taxes on luxuries and low taxes on essentials.
11. They are convenient to the tax payer because they are paid only when one purchases a
commodity.
12. They influence resource allocation heavy indirect taxes can be used to discourage production of
commodities and channels resources to productive resources.
Advantages of VAT
1. It widens the tax base hence causes an increase in government revenue.
2. It encourages efficiency in business since there is record keeping.
3. It minimises tax avoidance.
4. It minimises tax evasion.
5. It minimises the informal sector.
Taxable capacity. This is the ability of the tax payer to pay a tax imposed on him/her and
remains with sufficient disposable income to enable him/her live a decent life to which he/her
family is accustomed.
OR
It is the ability of a nation to raise expected revenue from taxes without causing socially harmful
results or effects.
Or
It is the extent to which government can levy taxes without causing adverse effects on tax
payers.
1. High poverty levels which cause inability to start income generating activities/low incomes.
2. Presence of income inequalities which result in few people being taxed thus low revenue is
generated.
3. Low level of economic activity e.g. industrialisation, services, etc.
4. Low levels of commercialization and as a result there are few activities to tax.
5. Poor consumption habits.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 487
6. Limited tax bases due to high tax concessions
Tax base. This refers to an entity, income or property items on which a tax is levied.
1. Poorly developed infrastructure. This makes accessibility to potential tax bases difficult.
2. Large subsistence sector/limited commercialisation of the economy. This results into few taxes
as the activities of the sector are not taxed.
3. Limited employment opportunities. There are few people who are formally employed and this
results into fewer people being taxed.
4. Tax exemptions/provision of tax incentives to potential tax payers by government.
5. Poor identification of sources/limited skills of the tax officials. Some activities are left out due to
poor skills hence low tax revenue.
6. Small formal sector/large informal sector. Some businesses are not known to government
because they are not registered and therefore not taxed.
7. Political instability making it difficult to assess certain possible tax avenues
8. Limited diversification of economic activities. There are few activities upon which to impose
taxes.
9. Low level of income.
10. Low level of accountability/corruption. Some people who should be taxed are left out or taxed
less than they should.
Tax yield. This refers to the amount of money that results when the rate of tax is applied to
money value of the tax base, minus the cost of collecting the tax.
OR
Tax evasion/tax default. This is when a tax payer deliberately refuses to pay the tax
assessed on him or her. It is illegal and punishable by the law.
Tax burden. This is the immediate strain felt by the tax payer as soon as payment of the tax has
been effected. This may be in the following forms:
(a) Direct money burden. This refers to the loss of money in form of paying the tax.
(b) Indirect money burden. This refers to a situation when an individual, company/economic
entity loses money that would have been used somewhere else.
(c) Direct real burden. This refers to the loss of economic welfare as a result of paying the tax. Or
the reduction of the ability of an individual to purchase goods and services as a result of the
tax.
(d) Indirect real burden. This is where and when the tax on a commodity increases its price
leading to a reduction in the consumption of that commodity.
Impact of a tax. This refers to the person or firm on whom a tax is officially/initially levied.
OR
It refers to the first resting place of a tax.
OR
The immediate effect of a tax on a person on whom it is levied.
One may however shift forward or backward onto another party. Shifting of the tax may take
the following forms:
(a) Forward shifting of the tax. This is where the tax payer passes the tax revenue to the next
party in the distribution chain e.g. a retailer passing on the tax burden to the consumer in
form of increased price.
(b) Backward shifting of the tax. This where the tax payer passes the tax revenue to the
previous stage in the production process e.g. when the producer shifts the tax burden to the
raw materials supplier in form of reduced prices of the raw materials.
Incidence of a tax. This refers to the final resting place of a tax imposed or the person who
ultimately bears the money burden of the tax imposed.
Incidence of a tax depends on the type of tax.
(a) For direct taxes, the incidence and impact are on the same person i.e. the incidence
cannot be shifted onto another party.
(b) For indirect taxes, the incidence falls on either the producer, consumer or shared by both
depending on the elasticity of demand and supply for the commodity.
Price D S
P0 S
P1
P2
0 Q 0 Q1 Quantity
Tax
The consumer pays tax equal to P0 P1 while the producer pays P1 P2 the consumer pays more.
P0
P2
0 Q0 Q1 Quantity
The consumer pays P0 P1 while the produce pays P0 P2 the producer pays more.
Specific tax. This is a tax that is levied as a fixed amount per unit of a commodity. Also called
per unit tax e.g. a tax on each bottle of beer.
Advalorem tax. This is the tax levied as a percentage of the value of the commodity.
Deadweight tax. This is one which when imposed causes the tax payer to abandon the
activity which forms the tax base on which the tax is levied.
Tax rebate. This refers to the reduction of a tax mainly used to encourage investment.
Positive effects
Negative effects
1. Taxation reduces consumer‟s welfare. This is because taxes reduce the disposable income of
people reducing their consumption.
1. Narrow tax base. This is attributed to low incomes of the people and the few economic
activities on which to levy taxes therefore less revenue is realised.
2. Low taxable capacity. Most people are poor and businesses are weak which result into limited
capacity to pay taxes.
3. There are high incidents of tax evasion. This is because of poverty, unfair assessment,
harassment in collection etc. and as a result many people are not willing to pay.
4. High levels of tax avoidance. This is because of loopholes and the lack of strictness of the tax
laws and as a result many people are not willing to pay.
5. Political instabilities in some areas. These negatively affect economic activities and make
collection of revenue difficult.
This refers to the using of money/revenue in the provision of public services and influencing economic
activities so as to improve welfare of the people and achieve economic growth.
Public expenditure takes different forms and these are: (a)
Recurrent expenditure and (b) Development expenditure.
1. Recurrent expenditure. This refers to the day to day spending of government aimed at
maintaining the existing capacities e.g. payment of wages for civil servants, rates, rents etc.
2. Development/capital expenditure. This is the expenditure by the government on the
establishment of projects for purposes of both expanding existing capacities and creating new
ones to generate more goods and services. e.g. expenditure on setting up medical centres,
schools, roads etc.
1. Rapid population growth rate. This causes high government expenditure to support the
increasing population in terms of providing services e.g. medical care, education etc.
2. Debt servicing. Here government spends money paying the principal and interest thus high
expenditure abroad.
3. Alleviating the effects of natural calamities. The government spends money providing
assistance to those who have been hit by disasters so there welfare improves in case of drought,
floods, famine etc.
4. Political instabilities in some parts of the country this increases military expenditure purchasing
fire arms etc.
5. Development and rehabilitation of infrastructures. These require heavy spending yet funds are
not readily available through taxation, such as roads, power dams that require heavy
expenditure.
6. Poverty alleviation programmes. The government spends a lot of money financing poverty
reduction programmes so that people can start income generating activities e.g. NAADS,
prosperity for all etc.
7. Big size of civil and public servants. The government spends a lot of money in paying salaries
and allowances for civil servants who are very many in different departments.
8. Corruption and embezzlement of funds. This forces the government to make supplementary
budget to replace the money stolen government officials in different departments.
9. Frequent state visits to foreign countries by president, MPs, ministers these spend a lot of
money abroad.
10. Increased number of administrative units e.g. districts. Government spends a lot of money on
employees.
11. High rate of inflation. This off sets the budget plans because money loses value and this calls for
supplementary budget.
1. Ensuring political stability by democratic governance and hold peace talks with rivals thus
reducing military expenditure.
2. Privatization of public enterprises. This reduces expenditure on financing and maintaining
public enterprises.
3. Retrenchment of civil servants thus reducing the high wage bill.
4. Debt rescheduling this reduces government expenditure in the short run.
5. Strengthening management of public funds. The government has set up institutions to fight
corruption such as IGG, Auditor General, etc.
6. Cost sharing in public institutions like hospitals, schools to reduce government expenditure on
provision of social services.
7. Population control measures to reduce government expenditure on provision of social services.
Public debt refers to the total borrowing (both internal the central external) by the central
government, local authorities and public corporations. It is a debt incurred by the state as a result of
borrowing from within a country and foreign sources.
National debt is money owed by the state (central government) to people and institutions within its
borders or to foreigners, excluding the debts of local authorities and public corporations.
Public debt management refers to the process of acquiring, utilizing, servicing and repayment of
debts by the central authority or local authority or public corporations.
1. To maintain price stability. Borrowing from the public reduces money in circulation hence
stabilising prices.
2. To influence income distribution/to control income inequality. Government achieves fair
distribution by using progressive taxes.
3. To ensure proper utilization of funds/minimize or control corruption.
4. To influence the rate of interest. A low rate of borrowing causes a low rate of interest while a
high rate of borrowing causes an increase in the interest rate.
5. To reduce the debt burden/minimize the cost of the public debt. This is through debt
conversion.
6. To mobilize financial resources. The central bank identifies and mobilises funds by selling bonds
and treasury bills.
1. To fill the savings- investment gap because the savings in developing countries are not
sufficient to generate investment.
2. To ease the burden of taxation on citizens in the short run. By borrowing the government does
not need to impose high taxes to raise revenue.
3. To raise funds needed for recurrent public expenditure.
4. To finance BOP deficits in the short run/filling the foreign exchange gap. Borrowing avails the
needed foreign exchange to use in purchasing imports.
5. To control inflation by reducing amount of money in the hands of the public e.g. through selling
securities to the public.
6. To help repay interest and even the principal sums borrowed. The borrowed funds enable
government to pay the earlier acquired debts.
7. To help the country borrowing achieve and maintain a given level of employment. Funds
borrowed are used to establish projects which offer employment opportunities.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 500
8. To sustain market by leaving citizens with adequate disposable incomes.
9. To handle the effects of calamities/disasters. Borrowed funds enable government give aid to
those affected by calamities and thus enabling them to have a fairly decent life.
Types of debts
1. Internal debt. This is one raised from within the country. This is in form of selling bonds and
treasury bills to the public.
2. External debt. This involves borrowing from abroad from external sources like international
financial institutions such as IMF, World Bank, etc.
3. Funded debt is a long term debt for which there is no redemption date/date of repayment but
the borrower keeps on paying annual interest on the principal.
4. Unfunded debt. This is a long term debt for usually less than a year for which the government
does not create a special fund for paying it. Or a debt with no stated future date/time for
repayment.
5. Redeemable debt. This is the debt which is repayable by the government after a specific period
of time.
6. Irredeemable debt. This is one whose principal amount is not refunded by the government
however interest rate is paid.
7. Reproductive debt. This is one where money is obtained and invested in productive activity that
generates income for the debt liquidation.
8. Unproductive debt/deadweight debt. This one which is acquired and used/spent on projects
which are not self-liquidating. Or debt acquired to finance non-productive activities.
Debt financing is where government borrows to finance its expenditure that may not be
covered by tax revenue.
Whereas
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 501
Taxation financing is where government uses revenue from taxes to finance its expenditure.
1. Borrowing does not have negative political effects compared to taxes that may cost that may
cost the government political popularity.
2. It is sometimes easier to borrow than to tax.
3. Borrowing helps to realise a lump sum of money compared to taxes where revenue comes in
slowly/it is a quicker way of raising money.
4. Borrowing arguments tax revenue that tends to be slow because of the narrow tax base, low
taxable capacity, etc.
5. Through borrowing government makes use of both external and internal sources compared to
taxation that is only internal.
6. Borrowing does not have adverse effects on consumption compared to taxation that reduces
disposable income.
7. Debt financing does not involve costly methods of collection compared to taxation.
8. Borrowing does not raise costs of production compared to taxation that leads to inflation as a
result of indirect taxes.
9. Borrowing does discourage savings and investment as is the case with taxation.
10. The debt burden of borrowing can be shifted to future generation something which cannot be
done with taxation.
BUDGETING
A national budget is an estimate of a country‟s expected revenue and expenditure for a given
financial year.
Components of a budget
1. To attain and maintain price stability/controlling inflation. Taxes imposed on incomes reduce
disposable income, demand falls and this brings down the prices.
2. Creating employment opportunities/Reducing unemployment. Low taxes cause an increase in
investment which results into more people getting jobs.
3. To improve the BOP position/correcting the BOP deficit. This by increasing taxes on imports
which causes a fall in their demand hence fall in foreign exchange expenditure.
4. To reduce income inequality/promotion of equitable income distribution. This is by use of
progressive taxes where the rich pay more than the poor.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 507
5. To protect domestic infant industries. This is achieved by imposing high taxes on imports which
make them expensive and this increases the demand for locally manufactured goods.
6. To discourage consumption of harmful/undesirable products. This involves imposing high taxes
on those commodities considered undesirable which reduces their demand because they
become expensive.
7. Reducing regional imbalance in development. The areas that are not doing well are given more
funds to enable them march the level of other areas.
8. Accelerating rate of economic growth. This is by varying taxes on investors e.g. low taxes on
investors causes a high level of investment because of the low cost of production and vice versa.
9. To raise revenue for the government. This by imposing direct and indirect taxes.
10. To influence investment. High taxes reduce the rate of investment because they raise the cost of
production while low taxes lead to low cost of production and therefore a higher level of
investment.
11. Influencing resource allocation. High taxes on some commodities and low taxes on others
causes diversion of resources from highly taxed to low taxed commodities.
12. Regulating government expenditure.
13. To mobilise/solicit foreign resources. The budget is used as a borrowing tool since it is used by
government to show which areas need funding.
14. To mobilise masses to participate in national development.
15. To reduce economic dependence/to ensure self-reliance. Low taxes on investors encourage
investment and therefore increased production which reduces the demand for imports.
Recurrent budget
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 508
This is where estimated government revenue and expenditure is meant to maintain the existing
capacities or day to day programs e.g. payment of wages to civil servants.
Development budget
This is where estimated government revenue and expenditure is to be allocated for long term
projects which lead to increase in production directly or indirectly e.g. expenditure on financing
industries, roads, etc.
This one in which government planned expenditure is greater than the government planned
revenue in a given financial year.
1. It leads to inflation since low taxes are imposed and people have high purchasing power.
2. It leads to BOP deficit as there is increased borrowing to finance the deficit in the budget.
3. It encourages economic dependence because of increased reliance on external resources by
way of borrowing.
4. It increases capital outflow as the government pays the debts.
1. There is low taxable capacity because of the low level of economic activities, poor tax
administration etc.
2. Few tax bases because of poverty, poor assessment, etc. Less revenue is generated.
3. High administrative expenditure on civil servants and politicians in terms of paying wages and
salaries.
4. Political instability leading to high military expenditure/high cost of improving political climate.
5. High cost of maintaining and developing infrastructure. Development of infrastructure requires
large sums of money.
6. Ambitious planning. The government plans to spend more yet realises less revenue 7. Heavy
debt servicing and repayment of principle.
8. Weak tax administration. This is the case with when there is poor collection and poor use of the
funds realised.
9. Few and low non tax sources of revenue.
10. High levels of corruption/low levels of accountability. Money realised by the government is
swindled by some officials and this reduces the money available for use by the government.
11. Frequency of natural disasters/hazards that require heavy emergence funding.
12. Heavy expenditure on external commitments e.g. contributions to international organizations,
peace keeping mission, etc. These cause excessive foreign exchange expenditure abroad.
FISCAL POLICY
Fiscal policy is a deliberate policy under which government uses its expenditure and revenue
(taxation) programmes to regulate the level of economic activities.
1. Taxation
2. Subsidisation
3. Government expenditure
4. Public borrowing
5. Licensing
6. Fees
7. Fines 8. Debt repayment
9.
Objectives of fiscal policy
To achieve desirable price levels/price stability through increased taxation and reduced government
expenditure.
Economic development planning is the conscious government‟s effort to influence, direct and in
some cases control changes in a nation‟s principle economic variables to achieve perdetermined
OR
5. For resource mobilisation e.g. borrowing. It helps government identify the finance gap and
therefore uses it to mobilise funds through borrowing.
6. To identify areas suitable for public and private investment. Government takes up the less
profitable projects that require large some sums of money and are very crucial for national
development leaving the profitable projects to the private sector.
7. To relate the present to future trends and targets. Planning helps government to make
8. For harmonious and consistent use of resources. Planning helps government to ensure that
targets and objectives put in place march the available resources.
13. To determine the rate of economic growth and development. Through planning government is
able to support producers using tax incentives, improving infrastructure, etc. which help to
reduce the cost of production and thus increased production of goods and services.
1. It helps in improving and strengthening the market mechanism in an economy especially when
it fails to cope with rapid structural changes e.g. high population growth rate, availing
infrastructure. It helps government to minimise the failures of the market so that the public is
safe guarded.
2. Planning ensures equitable distribution of wealth. Through planning government supports the
low income groups start income generating by way of giving them low interest loans.
3. Planning helps to increase the rate of economic growth and development. This is by way
encouraging production in a country through encouraging establishment of private firms using
tax concession.
4. It ensures stability of prices and so is a powerful tool to maintain economic stability of a country
e.g. stability of foreign exchange etc. Planning enables government support local production
through investment incentives, liberalising the economy, etc. this increases supply of goods
which stabilises prices.
5. It helps in correcting BOP position. Planning enables the government to ensure local production
by way of supporting import substitution industries which reduces foreign exchange
expenditure on imported goods.
6. Planning enables the government to reduce unemployment. It helps encourage the
establishment of industries, sconstruction of infrastructure, etc. which help provide jobs to the
nationals.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 519
7. It ensures proper resource allocation. Planning helps to make sure that resources are allocated
in those areas that make sure that improve peoples‟ welfare at the lowest possible cost.
8. It helps in soliciting for foreign aid or encourages attraction of more foreign resources. Plans
when presented to donor countries or institutions help them to identify areas that need
funding.
9. Planning harmonises or ensures constant use of resources. It reduces competition which is
wasteful and unfair that is harmful to the economy.
10. Planning helps in identifying areas suitable for public and private investment. Planning enables
government take up some large risky ventures where individuals may not invest leaving the less
risky projects but profitable ones to the private sector.
11. It ensures self sufficiency or reduces economic dependence. Through planning productive
ventures are encouraged using investment incentives that reduce the cost of production and
encourage production which reduces the demand for imported goods.
12. It relates present to future trends and targets thus consistence in growth and development.
Planning helps the government to make projections from the current state of affairs in the
country.
13. Encourages public participation in the development of the economy. Planning helps to show
the public the role they are to play in implementation and the benefits to be realised to avoid
sabotaging the implementation of projects.
1. It distorts the working of price mechanism. Interference by the government limits the operation
of forces of demand and supply in influencing resource allocation.
2. There is wastage of resources. This occurs when planning encourages the production of
commodities that are not so much required by consumers.
3. Planning kills individual/private initiative. This happens when planning is in the hands of few
individuals who dictate what should be produced and the result is reduced invention and
innovation.
4. It encourages bureaucracy. This causes delay in decision making which delays implementation
of projects.
5. It is costly in terms of formulation, implementation and monitoring. This is because many
employees are required who have to be paid wages which is costly to the government.
6. It promotes inefficiency in production. This is because it discourages competition, innovation
and inventions.
7. Poor quality products are produced. This is because of lack of competition in production
1. Availability of technical personnel (skilled labour). These are the people who are responsible for
the implementation, monitoring, etc. skilled causes efficiency in implementation of projects
2. Availability of quality statistical information or which is reliable and accurate. Accurate
information ensures that all areas are taken into account making the available resources
sufficient.
6. Mobilisation of popular support using institutions to make sure that the public is behind the
plans. Planning is successful when it has the support of the different social groups since it
reduces sabotage of projects.
7. Political stability. A stable political environment assures the formulators and implementors of
security for life and property.
8. Setting specific and clear objectives. This makes it possible for the government to achieve what
it sets to achieve.
9. Balancing of the plan. This makes it possible for the government to realise balanced
development in the country.
1. Comprehensiveness. A good plan is one that covers the entire economy or all sectors of the
economy.
2. Consistency. The aims of the plan should match with the available resources and in line the
5. Political acceptability. It should have blessing of the different political groups within the
economy to avoid sabotage.
6. Socially relevant. A good development plan should tackle problems and issues/needs pertinent
to the local areas.
5. It should be politically acceptable/have blessing of the different political groups within the
economy.
6. It should be socially relevant by tackling problems and issues/needs pertinent to the local
areas.
12. It should be simple and easy to understand by both the technical and non-technical people.
2. Comprehensive planning. Is one where targets are set to cover all/most sectors of the
economy.
3. Partial planning/sectoral planning. Is one which covers part/section of the economy e.g.
agriculture, industry.
4. Annual planning. This is short term planning in which targets are to cover one year are drawn
e.g. the national budget.
5. Long term planning/perspective planning. Is long term planning in which long term are set in
advance for a period of ten or more years.
6. Centralised planning. This is one where the central authority plans for the whole economy and
it directs implementation of plans in line with the set targets/objective. The rationale for
centralised planning in an economy
8. Capitalistic planning. This is where planning is done by the private sector without direct control
of the government but rather the government influences the planning process indirectly
through monetary and fiscal policies.
9. Indicative planning. This is the type of planning where government identifies appropriate
investment areas and provides incentives and required information to individual economic units
to achieve pre-determined, forecast targets.
Factors that affect the implementation of development plans in Uganda are as follows:-
1. The availability of funds. The more available the funds are the high the success of plan
formulation and implementation because funds enable the purchase of inputs to implement
projects while limited availability of funds causes poor planning because there not enough
funds to purchase inputs for plan formulation and implementation.
3. The degree of responsiveness of the private sector. The higher the level of the private sector
response the better the planning because it plays its part by investing in the areas of interest
while a low level of response causes results into limited success because the private sector
does not do what is supposed to do.
4. The level of government commitment/the level of conservatism/the will of the people. A high
level of commitment of the government results into adequate resources/funds being set aside
for plan formulation and implementation while low level of government commitment results
into limited success because there is low funding from government.
5. The degree of political interference. Too much interference from politicians undermines the
work of the technicians and causes diversion of projects on the other hand limited interference
6. The efficiency of the implementation machinery/the labour skills. The lower the skills of labour
the lower the success of planning since there is low efficiency in implementation while
presence of sufficient supply of skilled labour causes a higher level of efficiency in planning and
thus higher success.
11. The degree of dependence on external resources/aid for planning. A high level of reliance on
foreign aid causes limited success because the funds are inconsistent, insufficient and
therefore some projects are never completed on the other hand less reliance on foreign aid
causes higher success because local sources of funds that are more reliable are utilised.
1. Reduce dependence on natural factors. This makes it possible for the available funds to be
adequate since there is limited emergence funding.
4. Improve data collection and management. There should be an improvement in data collection
so that the funds set aside are sufficient for the projects since all areas are captured by the
information.
5. Raise sufficient funds for planning. Government should raise sufficient funds for planning so
that all the areas are catered for without shortages
6. Improving accountability. Accountability should be ensured so that funds set aside are not
diverted but are used for their intended purposes, this ensures that funds for projects are
sufficient.
9. Attaining/maintaining price stability. This should be realised so that the cost of implementing
projects is reduced.
10. Avoiding ambitious planning. This should be done so that the funds set aside become sufficient
to meet the targets.
11. Improve mobilisation of the masses to participate in planning. Mobilising the masses reduces
incidences of sabotage of government projects.
12. Reduce the role of politicians in planning. The reduced role of politicians results into technicians
doing their work according design and there is no diversion of projects.
13. Ensure government commitment in planning. This results in to sufficient funds for projects
being set aside.
14. Sensitising the private sector on her role in planning. The private sector is able to come up with
projects that support government effort.
The structure of the economy refers to the main basic features or the outstanding characteristics of a
given economy.
1. It is a source of raw materials. The agriculture sector is a major source of raw material for the
agro based material and therefore it brings about rapid industrialisation.
2. It provides employment to both the skilled unskilled. Majority of the people in the country
depend on agriculture and are more employed in the sector.
3. It provides an important source of revenue to the government by taxing farmers, cooperatives
etc.
4. It reduces rural-urban migration. It employs many people in the rural areas and therefore
reduces the need to move to urban areas.
5. Ensures balanced regional development, it is spread throughout the country.
6. It contributes to the GDP through the substantial amount of output.
7. It is source of food to the population- both the urban and rural population thus developing it
leads to quality quantity and cheap produce.
8. It provides market for manufactured goods like fertilizers, hoes etc. thus promoting
industrialisation.
9. Encourages the development of infrastructure. There is development of infrastructure through
construction to support the sector e.g. roads which promote the development of the entire
economy.
10. It is an important foreign exchange earner as it is an important source of exports e.g. tea, cotton,
etc.
11. It reduces income inequalities because majority of the population are able to earn through
employment, selling produce etc.
12. Encourages the utilisation of the local resources because it is mainly rural based. This increases
the rate of economic growth.
Agricultural modernisation
This refers to the changing of agriculture sector from subsistence production to commercialised
high yielding sector.
OR
1. Limited supply of capital/low incomes/low savings. This makes purchase of inputs, machinery, etc.
very difficult.
2. Limited supply of skilled labour/illiteracy of the farmers. There is low level of output due low
efficiency and productivity.
3. Poor techniques of production. There is low output because of low efficiency.
4. Limited market both at home and abroad. Farmers produce less since they are not assured of
market and low profits are generated.
5. Conservatism of farmers. They do not easily receive new techniques of production and are
resistant to change. This causes a low level of investment in new techniques of production.
6. Natural hazards/unfavourable natural factors. These destroy crops and so lead to low output, they
also affect the quality of final output.
7. Unfavourable political climate. This disrupts production activities, makes accessibility to markets
difficult. This limits investment because of the fear to lose life and property.
8. Corruption or low levels of accountability. Finances meant for use in the sector are used for
personal and this reduces the amount of funds available for investment in the sector.
9. Low prices of the products/fluctuations in prices of agricultural products. These cause fluctuation
of income and also cause high cost of production.
10. Poor infrastructures. These make accessibility to markets difficult thus there is waste of produce.
11. Poor land tenure system. Makes acquisition of land by some people difficult and expensive and
also results into low levels of mechanisation.
12. Poor entrepreneurship. There is a low level of creativity and innovation as well as a low level of
resource mobilisation and this causes a low level of productivity in the sector.
13. Unfavourable topography. It makes mechanisation difficult and therefore there is less output
realised
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 540
(a) Explain the measures being taken to improve performance of the agricultural sector in your
country.
(b) Suggest measures that should be taken the improve performance of the agriculture sector in
your country.
Measures that should be taken to improve the agriculture sector
1. Industries are mainly involved in the production of consumer goods due to import
substitution strategy of the government.
2. Mainly large scale industries are concentred in urban areas because of the good
infrastructure and market for the goods and services.
3. The industrial sector is mainly dominated by small scale industries because most of the
people do not have sufficient capital to expand their industries.
4. Most of the large scale industries are foreign owned while the small scale ones are
dominated by the local people. The limited capital by local entrepreneurs does not permit
them to expand their industries.
5. Firms mainly use simple labour intensive technology. It is only few industries owned by the
foreigners that use capital intensive technology. This is because many of the local
entrepreneurs do not have sufficient capital to purchase modern technology.
6. Mainly import substituting industries /produce mainly for the local market with little left for
export.
7. High imported raw materials and intermediate product content.
8. Industries produce mainly at excess capacity due to limited capital, limited market, poor
technology, etc.
9. Many industries are agro-based, processing raw materials.
10. Many industries use mainly semi-skilled and unskilled labour force. This is because of the
low levels of education and a poor education system i.e. theoretical in nature.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 542
11. The sector has limited linkages with other sectors of the economy.
12. Durable consumer goods industries are mostly assembling plants. This is because of poor
technology.
13. There is production of mainly poor quality manufactured goods. This is because of use of
poor technology and skills.
14. Mainly comprise of processing industries.
Positive implications
1. Provides employment. Small scale industries mainly labour intensive and therefore
provide employment.
2. Uses locally available resources. Small scale industries use the locally available resource
inputs.
3. Helps to reduce income inequality. Small industries are widely spread and therefore help
to redistribute income.
4. They help to improve entrepreneurial and managerial skills which are inadequate in the
country. The small scale industries are training grounds for local entrepreneurs.
5. The industrial sector is an important source of revenue to the government through
taxation.
6. Contributes to the development of infrastructure. There is construction of infrastructure
to improve accessibility to markets for inputs and outputs.
7. Improve the balance of payment position. The industries produce goods and services for
export and reduce import expenditure and thus improve the BOP position.
8. Provides variety of goods. This is because there is product differentiation which increases
consumers‟ choice and welfare.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 543
9. Reduces dependence. Reduces dependence since there is increased availability of goods
locally and reduced importation of goods.
10. Improves the skills of labour. There is training of the local labour force which improves
efficiency and productivity.
11. Provides quality goods. There is provision of quality goods and services due to
competition in the sector.
12. It attracts local and foreign investment. The desire to maximise profits attracts investors
into the sector.
13. Increases output. It contributes to national output since there are several industries and
this increases the rate of economic growth.
14. Encourages technological development. This technological development because firms
invest in research and this results into production of good quality products.
Negative implications
Discuss the problems limiting the development of the industrial sector in your country.
Explain the measures being taken to improve performance of the industrial sector.
1. Developing infrastructure. This is making it easy for industrialists to access inputs and markets.
2. Widening markets through integration. This increasing the demand for commodities,
increases profits and investment.
This is an intermediate sector between the traditional and modern sector. OR It is a sector which lies
between the subsistence traditional sector and the monetary sector. It is mainly found in urban areas
and it comprises the, drivers, automobile and bicycle repairs, banking, bread selling etc. These
activities have been developed from the traditional and later they are modernised.
Positive:
1. It leads to congestion in sub-urban or peri-urban areas as the activities of the sector are not
properly planned or started haphazardly to have a competitive advantage over others.
2. It causes pollution of the environment because of poor waste disposal which affects
development.
3. There is duplication of goods and services and therefore it promotes wasteful competition.
4. It causes public revenue instabilities because of the temporary nature of the businesses.
5. It has given rise to unemployment and under employment because of limited capital to make
investments to absorb many employees.
6. There are high administrative costs because of operating mainly on small scale producing a
low level of output.
1. Lack of adequate capital to expand the businesses due lack of collateral security to access
credits. This makes it difficult to purchase inputs and expand enterprises.
2. Unfavourable government policy e.g. high taxation. This demoralises the informal sector
operators as it increases the cost of production and reduces the profit margin.
3. Inadequate skilled manpower since most of the labour force in the sector is either unskilled or
semi-skilled. This results in to efficiency in production.
4. The markets of informal sector operators are not protected due to absence or ineffective laws
hence exposing the sector to stiff competition from abroad.
Suggest measures that should be taken to improve the performance of the informal sector in your
country.
1. Ensure favourable fiscal policies e.g. reduced taxation, subsidisation of producers etc. This
reduces cost of production and increases profits.
2. Encourage savings. Encourage co-operative societies among the informal sector members to
enable them save and mobilise funds for investment.
3. Provide affordable loans. Banks and other financial institutions should be encouraged to provide
loans at favourable interest rates/terms. This enables entrepreneurs get funds to purchase inputs.
5. Provide adequate infrastructure like electricity, water, roads, etc. to minimise production costs.
6. Ensure political stability as a way of attracting investment in the sector. This is because it assures
the investors of security for their lives and property.
7. Fight corruption. This should be done to ensure that the available funds in the sector are
adequate for investment.
8. Stabilise prices. This should be ensured so that the cost of production is reduced.
9. Improve the land tenures system. This should be undertaken so that acquisition of land for
investment and expansion of enterprises is easy to acquire.
10. Modernise agriculture. This makes it possible for enterprises to acquire inputs at fair prices and
reduce the cost of production.
11. Improve the skills of labour. This should be done to improve the efficiency of labour.
12. Improve technology/ finance research. Government should finance research to improve efficiency
in production.
It involves businesses that are registered, have proper record keeping and are governed by laws.
It is that part of the economy where economic and social activities are under the control of private
individual investors operating side by side with the government or public sector. OR it refers to
that part of the economy where economic activities are under the control of non-governmental
economic units such as households, or firms.
Each economic unit owns its resources and uses them for the maximisation of its own welfare.
3. Mainly labour intensive techniques are used. There is limited capital to purchase modern
techniques of production.
4. Uses mainly unskilled and semi-skilled labour force. This is due to low levels of education and the
theoretical education system.
5. Produces mainly consumer goods. This is due to the import substitution strategy of
industrialisation.
10. Uses mainly local raw materials. These are readily available.
11. Production of variety of goods / differentiated goods. This is due to competition in the market.
12. The sector is characterised by price instability. The profit minded entrepreneurs set their own
prices.
13. Control over price varies from industry to industry.
Assess the role of the private sector in the development of your country.
2. It attracts capital- both from within and foreign private investment. This is because of the
competitive atmosphere in the sector which attracts private investors.
4. It provides revenue to the government. This is through taxation of private enterprises e.g.
corporation tax on profits of companies.
7. It helps to improve infrastructure. This is through construction and rehabilitation which makes
movement of goods and services easier.
9. The sector provides a variety of goods and services to the population. This is because of product
differentiation which increases choice and welfare.
10. There is production of quality goods. Competition in the sector leads to the production of quality
goods and services.
12. Helps to improve the skills of labour. The private sector is a training ground of labour and
therefore helps in acquisition of skills and thus improves efficiency in production.
13. Increases foreign exchange earnings. It provides commodities for exports and as such is a source
of foreign exchange.
14. Promotes commercialisation of the economy. The sector encourages production for the market.
15. Helps improve the country‟s BOP position. This is because there reduction in the importation of
goods.
16. Diversifies the economy/reduces dependence since it increases the country‟s capacity to
produce goods and services.
1. Inadequate capital in the sector. This limits the expansion of the sector because of limited funds
to purchase inputs.
2. Insecurity in some parts of the country. This scares away potential investors in the sector for fear
of losing life and property.
3. Limited skilled manpower. This causes inefficiency in production
4. Limited market for the products due to the low purchasing power. This results in to low profits
and thus discouraging production.
5. Low levels of technology. This results into low levels of efficiency in production.
6. Limited entrepreneurial skills. This limits innovation, invention and creativity and therefore there
is limited ability to mobilise resources.
8. Unfair taxation of the sector. It discourages investment as taxes raise production costs.
9. Low or unstable prices. This leads to unstable earnings in the sector and causes high cost of
production.
11. Poor land tenure system. It makes acquisition of land difficult and expensive.
12. High level of corruption. Corruption makes the cost of production high and reduces funds for
investment.
13. Unfavourable natural factors/limited supply of inputs. These make production in the agricultural
sector difficult causing limited supply of inputs for the agro-based industries which increases the
cost of production.
Explain the measures being taken to improve performance of the private in your country.
1. Developing capital markets. This is being done to avail capital for investment and expansion.
2. Maintaining a stable political environment. This is assuring the investors of security life and
property and thus encouraging investment.
6. Offering investment incentives to investors e.g. tax holidays, subsidises etc. This is encouraging
establishment of enterprises since it is lowering the cost of production.
7. Privatising public enterprises. This enhancing efficiency and quick expansion of enterprises since
private individuals are profit oriented.
8. Improving skills of labour. This is being done through Vocationalising education and is improving
the efficiency in production.
9. Widening markets through integration. This is increasing outlets for output thus increasing
profits.
10. Strengthening the Uganda Bureau of standards to provide technical and quality standards. This is
reducing on marketing problems due to poor quality.
12. Provided land for development/changed land tenure system. This is making acquisition of land
easier and cheaper.
13. Improving entrepreneurship skills. This is being done through workshops and seminars and is
improving innovation, inventions and creativity.
14. Encouraging proper accountability. This is enabling firms have sufficient funds for investment.
15. Enacting copy right and patent right law. These are encouraging innovations and inventions.
17. Establishing specialised institutions to promote investment. The institutions are providing
information on areas for investment.
The public sector of an economy consists of business establishments that are owned by the
government and are engaged in commercial activities.
OR
The public sector is that part of the economy consisting of enterprises that are owned by the
government or state.
Such business establishments called the state enterprises may take the form of local authority, or
public corporation or parastatal body.
Reasons for government participation in ownership of industries and other commercial activities.
1. To provide goods and services which have low commercial profitability but having high socio-
economic benefits.
2.To avoid duplication and wastage. It is not economically viable to have many firms produce
public utilities.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 560
3.To create employment opportunities. Government owned enterprises operate on large scale and
therefore provide more employment opportunities.
4.To produce goods of strategic importance. Production of some commodities cannot be left to
private individuals because of the sensitivity of such products.
5.To provide essentials of life at fair prices. Some commodities if left to private producers leads to
exploitation of consumers yet they are vital to society.
6.Promoting investment. Government investment in enterprises encourages investment by private
individuals especially when the very investors are bought by individuals.
7. To raise revenue. The established enterprises earn revenue to the government through profits
earned and the taxes they pay to the government.
8.To ensure social security.
9.Promoting economic independence. By establishing firms to produce goods locally there is
reduction in the importation of commodities.
10. To protect nationals from exploitation. The establishment of government owned enterprises
minimises exploitation of nationals because government is profit oriented but welfare orient
and therefore charges low prices.
11. Because of heavy capital requirement. Some business undertakings require large sums of capital
which individuals may not be able to raise hence government steps in to establish such
enterprises.
12. To mobilise savings. Funds/ raised from the public enterprises enable government to
accumulate savings for investment purposes.
13. Complementing the private sector to avoid monopoly. The establishment of public enterprises
helps the government break the monopoly of private enterprises.
14. To protect primary producers from exploitation. The establishment of public enterprises enables
producers of primary products get fair prices since government is not profit oriented.
15. To stabilise prices and incomes. Firms that buy from producers of primary regulate output on
the market and this helps to stabilise prices and incomes of the producers since the surplus in
the market is reduced.
1. Inadequate capital. There is inadequate capital for expansion of the business units and
purchasing inputs.
2. Poorly developed infrastructures. The poor developed infrastructure makes it difficult to access
input markets and markets for final products and also increases the cost of production.
3. Bureaucratic red tape/bureaucracy. There is a problem of bureaucracy that causes delay in
decision making and implementation.
10.Limited commitment and interest on part of management. This results into mismanagement of
the enterprises
12. Poor management/limited skilled manpower. The use of poor skilled manpower results into
production of poor quality products.
13. Low level of accountability/corruption/embezzlement. Funds are swindled for personal benefit
and this leaves the enterprises with fewer funds to run the enterprises.
14. Limited supply of raw materials. Limited supply of raw materials results into a high cost of
production and low level of output.
15. Limited market size. Limited market for final products is due poor quality of some of the
products and poverty among the people this results into wastage of resources/low profits.
16. Poor techniques of production. The poor techniques of production lead to production of poor
quality products that are less marketable.
17. Competition from the private sector. The competition results into limited market for the final
products.
18. Price instability. Instability in prices of products result into instability the revenue of the
enterprises and this discourages production.
Public corporations
or a majority of its share capital and is created by an act of parliament which clearly defines the
Positive role
1.Creation of employment opportunities to the people. They usually employ many nationals due to
operation on large scale.
2.Development of infrastructure. They participate in the construction of roads, schools, and
hospitals etc. which support other economic activities.
3.They raise large sums of capital and thus undertake large scale operations. The private sector is
unable to undertake large scale projects like power dams due inadequate funds, technical skills
etc., through public corporations government raises funds to establish the projects.
4.Provision of essential goods and services at affordable prices. These commodities are usually of
low commercial profitability yet they are so vital for the welfare of the nationals e.g. safe water,
garbage collection etc.
5.Help in avoiding foreign domination of the economy. Their existence in one way or another is a
step towards economic indigenisation.
6.They undertake strategic or sensitive investment projects of national importance. Some projects
are so sensitive that they cannot be left in the hands of the private sector e.g. manufacture of
fire arms, as this would threaten the security of the state.
7.They are a source of revenue to the government. They generate profits which supplement
government revenue. They also pay taxes.
Negative roles
1.They overstrain the government budget. This is by way of spending on managing public
corporations.
2.Provision of poor quality goods and services. This is due to lack of competition.
3.Bureaucracy in decision making and implementation. The lowers the efficiency and ability to
adjust to rapid structural changes.
4.The public is highly taxed to cover the losses made by those public corporations. This reduces
peoples‟ disposable incomes and welfare.
5.Poor accountability by public officials which results into more losses.
6.Limited flexibility in operation. They are slow in adaption to changes due to bureaucracy in
decision making.
7.Limited consumer sovereignty. Production is not driven market forces of demand and supply but
rather depends on government policy on social welfare this leads to limited choice.
8.They are interfered with by politicians e.g. through political appointments, employment of
relatives, etc. this results into mismanagement.
9.They tend to discourage private investors by outcompeting them. They have large capital and
produce on large scale and at subsidised cost. There by selling at relatively cheaper price.
10. Large scale operation results into diseconomies of scale. This is due to gross management.
PARASTATAL ORGANISATIONS
PRIVATISATION
Privatisation is the process of changing /transferring ownership and control of public enterprises from
government to private individuals. It is a denationalisation move that aims at expanding the
private sector of the economy.
Forms of privatisation
2. Joint venture
4. Contracting
This is the form of privatisation that involves selling of business management to private
entrepreneurs for a specific period of time as per agreement after which control of the business
may be returned to the government when deemed necessary.
1. To enable firms operate more efficiently. Private individuals have a personal interest and
therefore ensure strict supervision and accountability since they are profit oriented.
2. To reduce corruption and embezzlement. Strict supervision and accountability reduces misuse
of funds.
3. To attract foreign investors. It attracts foreign investors since it gives them opportunity to
finance enterprises with limited or no competition.
5. To meet IMF conditionality of creating a private sector led economy. Some countries privatised
to be able to get loans to finance several sectors of the economy.
8. To increase on the levels of resource utilisation. Privatisation attracts foreign investors with big
capital which can be invested in large scale undertakings this increases productivity leading to
increased resource utilisation sine they are required as inputs
10. To control structural inflation. It increases productivity and wipes out structural inflation because
the profit oriented individuals use better production techniques which results into large of goods
and services.
11 To attract private initiative and thus encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in the
private sector. This because it allows competition in production.
13. To allow government concentrate on the provision of social services since there is reduced
government expenditure on subsidising government enterprises the funds saved are used to
provide more social services.
14. To increase output and thus ensure economic growth. Privatisation increases investment because
there is an increase in efficiency and therefore more output is realised.
Effects/benefits of privatisation
1. In the long run more employment opportunities are provided to the citizens. The expansion of
enterprises and better management generates more employment opportunities.
2. It reduces bureaucracy in the running of enterprises and this promotes quick decision making
and production.
3. Competition between firms encourages efficiency/cost effectiveness in resources allocation. This
because there is strict supervision.
4. Increased output is realised which leads to economic growth. This is because of an improvement
techniques of production.
5. Quality of final goods and services is high. This is because there is competition between firms.
6. Exploitation of idle resources is possible which promotes economic growth.
7. Foreign investment and capital are attracted to the economy which accelerates the process of
growth and development.
8. Innovativeness and creativity (research) are promoted. The desire to maximise profits results into
better production techniques.
9. Ensures variety. It widens consumer choice due to production of variety of commodities.
10. It reduces dependence on imports. It increases local production/availability of goods and thus
reduces dependence on other economies.
11. It reduces corruption in the running of enterprises since private investors are profit oriented and
ensure efficiency in running the enterprises.
12. Leads to improvement in labour skills. Employees are trained in various skills to improve their
efficiency.
1. Increased consumer exploitation. This is because high prices are charged by the profit oriented
individuals.
2. It leads to unemployment in the short run. Some workers are retrenched and others substituted
with machines in order to reduce costs of production.
3. It leads to increased foreign control of the economy. This is because most of the privatised
enterprises are bought by foreign investors who have the financial muscles.
4. It leads to irrational exploitation of resources causing environmental degradation. The profit
oriented producers over utilise the resources
5. There is a reduction in provision of essential vital goods. Private sector is more interested in
enterprises that bring in more profits.
6. It leads to income inequality. This is because the privatised enterprises are bought by few wealthy
individuals earn more profits.
7. There is an increase in price fluctuations. Individuals set their own profit maximising prices.
8. There is profit repatriation. There is profit repatriation due to investments being mainly in the
hands of foreign investors.
9. Losses are incurred due to under valuation and high cost of advertising the enterprise etc.
10. There is wasteful competition among producers and this makes the economy lose some of the
productive resources due to meaningless duplication within the private sector.
(a) What problems have been faced in the privatisation of public enterprises in your country?
(b) Problems encountered in the privatisation of public enterprises
1. Opposition from the public who think that privatisation leads to loss of economic control to
foreigners while others are opposed to the process on political grounds as they are not in favour of
the sitting government.
2. Corruption in the privatisation unit because of lack of transparency in the sell of some of the
parastatals where some of them are sold to those who do not qualify.
3. There is poor valuation/undervaluation of the public enterprises that are on sell leading to loss of
revenue.
4. The presence of unscrupulous buyers- these are the successful bidders who fail to pay in time while
others are no serious buyers.
5. The poor state of some of the enterprises because they have been run down makes it hard for the
government to sell them yet government does not have sufficient funds to rehabilitate them.
6. The small domestic market resulting from poverty scares away some potential investors. This
because low profits are realised.
7. The lack of well developed capital and money markets makes the selling and raising of capital
difficult.
8. The poverty among the nationals results into most of the privatised enterprises being bought
mainly by foreigners.
9. Political instability that scares away the-would-be potential investors to purchase the public
enterprises for fear of losing life and property.
10. The cost of privatisation is high as it involves advertising locally and internationally, hiring experts
to value the enterprises, etc.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 572
11. There is political sabotage from some politicians who de-campaign the process for political gains
and this frustrates government effort.
NATIONALISATION
Nationalisation of enterprises is where the government deliberately takes over control and
ownership of privately owned enterprises with or without compensation.
1.It leads to low efficiency and therefore production of low quality output.
2.Encourages corruption and thus misuse of funds.
3.Consumer choice is restricted due to limited variety of goods and services/Reduced consumer
sovereignty.
4.It is associated with bureaucracy and thus slows decision making and implementation.
5.There is high government expenditure on running nationalised enterprises/May subject nationals
to high taxation.
6.There is political interference in running of nationalised enterprises e.g. political appointment of
managers.
7.Leads to low tax revenue. Some of the nationalised enterprises are exempted from paying taxes.
8.Leads to resource misallocation since it interferes with price mechanism.
9.Discourages private investment. This is because the nationalised enterprises are favoured by the
government.
DUALISM
This refers to the co-existence of two contrasting phenomena that are mutually exclusive, existing
side by side one is desirable and modern the other is undesirable and under developed. This
where one sector is superior, modern and desirable while the other sector is inferior, backward
and undesirable.
Features/examples of dualism
1.Social dualism. This is the co-existence of two contrasting social systems in the economy
i.e. traditional sector and modern sector.
2.Economic dualism. This is the co-existence of two contrasting economic sectors in an economy
e.g. commercial and subsistence sector, barter and monetary economy etc.
3.Technological dualism. This refers to co-existence of two contrasting sectors/techniques of
production e.g. capital intensive and labour intensive technology.
4.International dualism. It is the co-existence of developed counties and less developed countries.
5.Sectoral dualism. It‟s the co-existence of two contrasting sectors with different levels of
production e.g. urban sector and rural sector, formal and informal sector.
6.Exchange dualism. This is where barter trade co-exists with monetary exchange.
7.International dualism. This is the co-existence of Ldcs alongside MDGs in the world.
1.Unfair distribution income in Uganda. This gives rise to the co-existence of the very rich and the
very poor.
2.Uneven distribution of resource. This makes some regions to develop at faster rate than others.
3.Inappropriate education system giving rise to the co-existence of the skilled alongside the semi-
skilled or unskilled labour.
1.Modernising agriculture.
2.Development of infrastructure.
3.Delocalisation of industry.
4.Improving the education system.
5.Ensuring increased monetisation of the economy.
Advantages of a dualism
1. Government raises a lot of revenue through progressive taxation of the modern sector.
2. The government is awakened to its responsibility of providing utilities for the less developed
regions.
3. It provides impetus for research and planning to identify ways and means of developing the
economy.
4. It fosters factor mobility from traditional sector to modern sector.
5. It promotes diversification in the economy due to existence of firms in both the formal and
informal sectors of the economy.
6. It increases employment both in the formal and informal sectors
EXTERNAL SECTOR
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 576
Uganda is an open economy which trades with Ldcs and MDCs.
1. Uganda‟s exports are mainly agricultural/ primary products e.g. coffee, tobacco, vanilla etc.
2. There is limited variety for export / there is commodity concentration of trade i.e. a biggest
percentage of trade is with developed countries.
3. Most of the exports are basically semi-processed or unprocessed or low value is added e.g.
exportation of lint.
4. The export sector experiences limited range of markets as much of the trade is with developed
countries.
6. Few services are exported and these include invisible exports like tourism, banking services etc.
8. Prices of exports are low and are always fluctuating because most of them are primary products.
1. Foreign exchange earnings. Exportation of agricultural products earns the country foreign.
1. Leads to poor terms of trade. This is because there is of importing expensive commodities and
exportation of low priced exports.
2. Leads to unfavourable BOP position. The importation of expensive commodities while
exporting low priced exports leads to high expenditure abroad and low foreign exchange
earnings.
3. There is vulnerability of foreign domination due to geographical concentration of trade.
4. Under utilisation of some resources due to narrow range of exports.
5. High level of unemployment. Unemployment is due to high importation of goods and services
that results into less employment of labour.
6. Dependence on other countries e.g. for markets, supplies, etc.
7. High level of capital/income outflow due to importation of intermediate goods.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 578
8. Low foreign exchange earnings. This due exportation of mainly primary products which fetch
low prices.
9. Collapse of local firms because they are out competed by the superior imported goods.
10. Regional imbalance in development.
11. Fluctuations in foreign exchange earnings due to fluctuations in prices of exports since they
are mainly primary products.
12. Fluctuations in exchange rate. This is due to reliance on agricultural exports whose prices are
not stable.
Explain the measures that may be undertaken to increase export earnings in your country.
1.Diversification of exports products. This increases foreign exchange earnings since there are a
number of products sold abroad.
2.Diversification of export markets. Reduces reliance on few markets which provides alternative
sources of foreign exchange
3.By joining regional integration. This expands market for goods.
4.Increasing volume of exports/producing more for export.
5.Strengthening commodity agreements. This increases bargaining for fair prices in the
international market.
6.Allowing the local currency to depreciate. It makes exports cheap and imports expensive which
reduces foreign exchange earnings while reducing expenditure abroad.
7.Processing primary products to add value. This results into exports fetching higher prices and
thus more foreign exchange earnings.
8.Lowering costs of production. This increases the demand for locally manufactured goods because
they are cheap and this increases foreign exchange earnings.
9.Intensifying publicity of Uganda‟s products in the foreign markets.
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 580
10. Campaign for removal of trade barriers in export markets. This enables the country export more
due to increased access to markets.
11. Improve quality of the exports. This causes an increase in the prices which improves earnings
N.B: Invisible exports are services/intangible goods sold by a country to other countries e.g. Insurance
banking and tourism
ECONOMIC DEPEDENCE
Economic dependence refers to the reliance of an economy on other economies or sector for her
survival/development.
OR
Economic dependence is the reliance of an economy on other resources and decision or on specific
economic activities sectors for her development.
While
Economic interdependence refers to a situation in which two or more economies rely on each other
for mutual benefit of all.
Uganda is an open and dependent economy and economic dependence can be seen under
the following aspects:-
1. Trade dependence
Muhinda Richard Economics notes 2018 581
This is the reliance on international trade/foreign markets for export and imports. Trade dependence
in Uganda is characterised by the following
• Dependence on export of few primary products in order to get foreign exchange needed
for development purpose with little output from the industrial sector commodity
concentration of trade.
• Dependence on the imported/foreign manufactured goods e.g capital equipment, fuel,
drugs chemicals, machinery to satisfy local requirements
• Dependence on few exports markets e.g. Uganda exports to the same region/ few
countries (geographical concentration of trade).
2. External resources dependence
This is the reliance on foreign economies foreign aid, skilled labour and technology. This is in
form of:
1. Sectoral dependence.
This is the reliance on one sector e.g. agriculture. Uganda mainly depends on agriculture which is the
backbone of the economy as an important source of food, source of industrial raw materials etc.
2. Shortage of skilled manpower has led to economic dependence in order to get manpower for
development of Ldcs economies e.g. expatriates.
3 Ldcs have weak under developed manufacturing sector leading to dependence on foreign
economies.
4. Poor technology in Ldcs has led to economic dependence in order to get technology to develop
their sectors like agriculture, industry, transport etc.
6. High population growth rates which increase government expenditure reduce savings and limit
investment.
7. Natural calamities of earthquakes, droughts etc. These cause excessive need for funds to for
humanitarian assistance and yet government has less revenue.
10. Shortage of foreign exchange. This is due to the low export capacity of the nation.
2. It encourages capital outflow due to over dependence on foreign private investment and foreign
manpower in form of expatriates leading to repatriation of their profits and wages.
3. It stagnates the development of local technology. External resource dependence especially in the
field of technology has been an obstacle to the development of appropriate technology in Ldcs
because of transfer of inappropriate technology.
4. It has contributed to the unemployment and underemployment problem in Ldcs due to foreign
manpower dependence and use of capital intensive techniques in firms.
5. It leads to external economic dominance of Uganda by foreigners. Some policies are dictated on
Uganda yet some of them are not conducive for the country.
7. Heavy reliance on foreign capital discourages local savings and investment as citizens are always
hoping for aid.
8. Overdependence on external resources leads to under -utilisation of the local resources and
skills.
9. Over reliance on foreign resources such as foreign aid has contributed to heavy debt burden in
Ldcs.
10. Worsens political domination of my country by foreigners. Some political decision are dictated on
Uganda which undermines the political sovereignty of the country.
11. Poor terms of trade. Poor terms of trade result from exporting low priced products while
importing expensive commodities
13. Fluctuation of incomes. Fluctuation of prices results into fluctuation of income of the producers.
14. It distorts the planning process. This is because aid is inconsistent, insufficient and therefore
some projects are abandoned.
15. Leads to social cultural domination/cultural erosion. This results from the citizens copying
17. It worsens the debt burden. This because of continuous borrowing to finance the budget.
Positive effects
1. Promotes economic growth. It avails capital is invested in enterprises thus increasing national
output.
2. Helps to acquire financial resources. Dependence on capital from abroad avails finance to the
country.
3. Helps to cover technological gap. This is through technology transfer.
4. Helps to cover manpower gap. This is achieved by use of expatriates.
Suggest measures that may be taken to reduce economic dependence in your country.
1 Diversification of the agricultural production to reduce dependence on few exports and widen
income from agriculture.
4. Export promotion strategy to earn foreign exchange and reduce dependence on foreign aid.
5. Efforts should be put in the development of local technology and this can be achieved by
encouraging research and development.
6. Encouraging local investment through giving the local investors incentives e.g. subsidising them,
tax exemptions etc. to minimise on the dependence on foreign investors.
8. Pursuing an industrialisation strategy that utilises more of our local resources and address
domestic demands to reduce dependence on foreign raw materials.
9. Improvement in political and investment climate to increase productivity and promote local
investment.
11. Improving infrastructure. This reduces the cost of production and enables the producers supply
more goods and services reducing the demand for imports.