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Do only wage earners count?

Abbreviated Question: 
Do only wage earners count?
Answer: 

The answer is no. It is not correct to conclude that Bukina Faso’s economy is supported by only 15% of the population. It is a common challenge in developing countries to appropriately account for employment and the economic contributions of a large informal sector of the economy. For example, many subsistence farmers are productive contributors to the economy but are not registered as formal employees and therefore are not properly reflected in many government statistics.

Aren't wages directly associated with productivity?

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Aren't wages directly associated with productivity?
Answer: 

Your proposed theory of wage setting appears to be consistent with the way that most economists would approach this issue.  That is, most economists would accept that an individual’s wage is determined by the “human capital” – i.e., skills, experience, training, and abilities -- embodied in that individual.  The value of this human capital is, in turn, a function of the relative balance of the demand for and supply of these particular skills.  Human capital that is costly or difficult to acquire will be relatively scarce, and (other things equal) more highly compensated.

Does a manufacturing company's consultants' hours count as service or as manufacturing?

Abbreviated Question: 
Does a manufacturing company's consultants' hours count as service or as manufacturing?
Answer: 

The output determines which sector a particular activity falls under. If the output is a good (product), then it falls under the manufacturing sector. If the output is a service, then it falls under the service sector.

In your particular example, the output of the consulting company is a service, so it would fall under the service sector. However, that consulting service is an input in the manufacturing sector.

How many "new" jobs have actually been created by the Governor and how many "net" jobs have been created in Iowa?

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How many "new" jobs have actually been created by the Governor and how many "net" jobs have been created in Iowa?
Answer: 

Governors really do not create jobs. Their departments of economic development, as well as other departments, may provide assistance, subsidies, and other types of aid to industries, but they do not create the jobs. The industries create the jobs. And the industries create the jobs in response to some type of demand that exists within the economy for the products that are produced or distributed.

Does deficit spending by the federal government have more good or ill effects?

Abbreviated Question: 
Does deficit spending by the federal government have more good or ill effects?
Answer: 

Your understanding is correct that government debt allows governments to handle economic recessions better. When the private sector employment and therefore consumption demand is shrinking, the government can increase its public sector spending (by borrowing) which not only increases public sector employment but also provides for safety net to unemployed (benefits) and helps sustain aggregate demand in the economy. In general, government debt serves as a useful tool for conducting both monetary and fiscal policy.