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Introduction
Economics as a science adopts two methods for the discovery of its laws and principles, viz., (a) deductive method and (b) inductive method. Deductive method: Here, we descend from the general to particular, i.e., we start from certain principles that are self-evident or based on strict observations. Then, we carry them down as a process of pure reasoning to the consequences that they implicitly contain. For instance, traders earn profit in their businesses is a general statement which is accepted even without verifying it with the traders. The deductive method is useful in analyzing complex economic phenomenon where cause and effect are inextricably mixed up. However, the deductive method is useful only if certain assumptions are valid. (Traders earn profit, if the demand for the commodity is more). Inductive method: This method mounts up from particular to general, i.e., we begin with the observation of particular facts and then proceed with the help of reasoning founded on experience so as to formulate laws and theorems on the basis of observed facts. e.g. Data on consumption of poor, middle and rich income groups of people are collected, classified, analyzed and important conclusions are drawn out from the results. In deductive method, we start from certain principles that are either indisputable or based on strict observations and draw inferences about individual cases. In inductive method, a particular case is examined to establish a general or universal fact. Both deductive and inductive methods are useful in economic analysis. Subject Matter of Economics Economics can be studied through (a) traditional approach (b) modern approach. a) Traditional Approach: Economics is studied under five major divisions namely consumption, production, exchange, distribution and public finance. Consumption: The satisfaction of human wants through the use of goods and services is called consumption. Production: Goods that satisfy human wants are viewed as “bundles of utility”. Hence production would mean creation of utility or producing (or creating) things for satisfying human wants. For production, the resources like land, labour, capital and organization are needed. Exchange: Goods are produced not only for self-consumption, but also for sales. They are sold to buyers in markets. The process of buying and selling constitutes exchange. Distribution: The production of any agricultural commodity requires four factors, viz., land, labour, capital and organization. These four factors of production are to be rewarded for their services rendered in the process of production. The land owner gets rent, the labourer earns wage, the capitalist is given with interest and the entrepreneur is rewarded with profit. The process of determining rent, wage, interest and profit is called distribution. Public finance: It studies how the government gets money and how it spends it. Thus, in public finance, we study about public revenue and public expenditure. b) Modern Approach The study of economics is divided into Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Microeconomics: This analyze the economic behaviour of any particular decision making unit such as a household or a firm. Microeconomics studies the flow of economic resources or factors of production from the households or resource owners to business firms and flow of goods and services from business firms to households. It studies the behaviour of individual decision making unit with regard to fixation of price and output and its reactions to the changes in demand and supply conditions. Hence, microeconomics is also called price theory. Macroeconomics:
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Last modified: Thursday, 21 June 2012, 9:46 AM