Definition of Economics
ICSE · Class 11 · Economics
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Quick Quiz: Definition of Economics
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The word 'Economics' is derived from two Greek words. What do these words together mean?
Which of the following is an example of an ECONOMIC activity?
Who is known as the 'Father of Modern Economics' and gave the Wealth Definition?
Alfred Marshall gave the Welfare Definition of Economics in which famous book?
Sample Questions
According to the Wealth Definition, which type of goods were considered as 'wealth'?
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Only material goods like cloth, milk, sugar, etc.
Step 1: Adam Smith and other classical economists defined 'wealth' in a very narrow sense. Step 2: They included ONLY material goods such as cloth, milk, sugar, tea, ghee, furniture, etc. in the definition of wealth. Step 3: They excluded non-material goods like services of teachers, doctors, engineers, and dancers. Step 4: This is one of the main criticisms of the Wealth Definition — it is too narrow because it ignores the economic value of services. Step 5: So the correct answer is 'Only material goods like cloth, milk, sugar, etc.'
Which of the following is NOT a criticism of the Wealth Definition of Economics?
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It gave too much importance to human welfare over wealth
Step 1: The criticisms of the Wealth Definition are: (a) too much stress on wealth, (b) only material goods included, (c) neglect of human welfare, and (d) concept of selfish 'economic man'. Step 2: Option A is a valid criticism — it did ignore human welfare by stressing too much on wealth. Step 3: Option B is also valid — it ignored services (non-material goods). Step 4: Option C is valid — the 'economic man' concept is unrealistic as real people also act out of love and affection. Step 5: Option D says it gave 'too much importance to human welfare' — this is INCORRECT. The Wealth Definition
Alfred Marshall defined economics as 'a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life'. What does 'ordinary business of life' mean?
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Earning wealth and spending it to get maximum satisfaction
Step 1: Marshall used the phrase 'ordinary business of life' in a specific economic sense. Step 2: According to him, every person mainly acts to earn wealth and then spends those earnings to get maximum enjoyment or satisfaction. Step 3: This day-to-day economic routine of earning and spending is what Marshall called 'ordinary business of life'. Step 4: It does NOT refer to running a company, nor to political, religious, or charitable activities — those are non-economic activities outside the scope of Marshall's definition. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'Earning wealth and spending
Lionel Robbins gave the Scarcity Definition of Economics in 1932. Which book did he write?
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An Essay on the Nature and Significance of Economic Science
Step 1: Lionel Robbins (1898–1984) published his famous book in 1932. Step 2: The book is titled 'An Essay on the Nature and Significance of Economic Science'. Step 3: In this book, he defined economics as 'the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have their alternative uses'. Step 4: 'Principles of Economics' belongs to Alfred Marshall, 'Wealth of Nations' to Adam Smith, and 'Economics: An Introductory Analysis' to Paul Samuelson. Step 5: The correct answer is 'An Essay on the Nature and Significance of Economic Science'.
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