Economic Equilibrium

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Definition of 'Economic Equilibrium'

Economic equilibrium is a state in which economic forces such as supply and demand are balanced and no one is better or worse off. It is a situation in which all of the resources in an economy are being used efficiently and there is no involuntary unemployment.

There are two types of economic equilibrium:

* **Partial equilibrium:** This occurs when only a single market is in equilibrium. For example, the market for wheat may be in equilibrium, but the market for corn may not be.
* **General equilibrium:** This occurs when all markets in an economy are in equilibrium. This is a very rare occurrence, as it is difficult to get all markets to be in balance at the same time.

The concept of economic equilibrium is important because it helps economists understand how the economy works. By studying how markets interact and how they reach equilibrium, economists can make predictions about how the economy will behave in the future.

There are a number of factors that can affect economic equilibrium, including changes in supply and demand, changes in technology, and changes in government policy. When one of these factors changes, it can cause the equilibrium to shift.

For example, if the supply of a product decreases, the price of the product will increase. This will cause the demand for the product to decrease, and the equilibrium will shift to a lower quantity and a higher price.

Economic equilibrium is a complex concept, but it is an important one for understanding how the economy works. By studying economic equilibrium, economists can make predictions about how the economy will behave in the future and how to make it work more efficiently.

Here are some additional points about economic equilibrium:

* Economic equilibrium is not always stable. It can be disrupted by changes in supply and demand, changes in technology, and changes in government policy.
* Economic equilibrium is not the same as economic efficiency. An economy can be in equilibrium and still not be using its resources efficiently.
* Economic equilibrium is not the same as economic justice. An economy can be in equilibrium and still have some people who are very poor and some people who are very wealthy.

Economic equilibrium is an important concept, but it is not the only thing that economists study. Economists are also interested in economic growth, economic efficiency, and economic justice. By studying all of these aspects of the economy, economists can help to make the world a better place.

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