Core Concepts in Economics: Micro and Macro Foundations

Understanding the forces that shape global markets, consumer behavior, and government policy is essential for informed decision-making. Economics provides the framework needed to interpret complex financial news and societal trends. This course demystifies economic theory, starting with foundational microeconomic principles and building up to broad macroeconomic concepts. You will gain a robust understanding of market dynamics, policy interventions, and key economic indicators. What you'll learn: * Understand the fundamental concepts of scarcity, opportunity cost, and rational decision-making in economic systems. * Master the mechanics of supply and demand curves, elasticity, and how market equilibrium is determined. * Analyze different market structures, including perfect competition, monopoly, and oligopoly, and their implications for efficiency. * Grasp core macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment, and how they are measured and interpreted. * Apply basic principles of fiscal and monetary policy used by governments and central banks to stabilize an economy. * Learn introductory concepts from behavioral economics that explain why human decisions often deviate from purely rational models. The course begins by defining core terminology and principles before moving into practical applications of microeconomic theory. We then shift focus to macroeconomic measurement and the tools used for managing national and international economies. This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of economics, policy, or finance. Start building your foundational economic literacy today through guided reading and practical exercises.