Introduction
Marginalism is a type of economic theory which is based on the concept of marginal utility and the idea that people base their economic decisions around assessing the difference between the marginal costs and marginal benefit. The Marginalist school of economists sought to explain the paradox of value– the fact that some goods or services are valued more highly than others even when they appear to have equal intrinsic qualities. This theory of economics is based on the concept of marginal utility, rather than absolute utility, and the notion that people make decisions by weighing up the marginal benefits and costs of a particular choice. This is a significant departure from classical economics and classical economic theory, which assumes that people make decisions based solely on calculations of absolute utility.
Marginal Utility
Marginal utility is the additional utility or satisfaction that is gained from consuming the next unit of a good or service. It is a measure of the additional satisfaction which is derived from consuming an additional unit of a product. The theory of marginal utility suggests that the utility or satisfaction derived from each additional unit of a good or service diminishes as the quantity of the good or service increases. The law of diminishing marginal utility states that as more units of a good or service are consumed, the additional satisfaction derived from each additional unit will decrease. This law is one of the fundamental assumptions of the marginalist school of economists and is used to explain the paradox of value- why some goods and services are valued more highly than others even when they appear to have equal intrinsic qualities.
Marginal Analysis
Marginal Analysis, also known as marginalist economics, is a branch of economic theory which evaluates the marginal costs and marginal benefits of a particular economic decision or activity. It is a form of economic analysis which seeks to determine the effects of a particular decision or activity on the marginal costs and marginal benefits of an individual or a firm. It is based on the notion that people make decisions by weighing up the costs and benefits of a particular choice. By assessing the marginal costs and benefits associated with a particular decision or activity, economists can make more informed economic decisions.
Marginal Cost
Marginal cost is the additional cost incurred by producing an additional unit of a good or service. It is a measure of the additional cost which is incurred as the quantity of a product or service increases. The marginal cost of a good or service is influenced by factors such as the cost of raw materials, labour, and other costs related to the production of the good or service.
Marginal Benefit
Marginal benefit is the additional benefit gained from consuming the next unit of a good or service. It is a measure of the additional satisfaction which is derived from consuming an additional unit of a product. The marginal benefit of a good or service is influenced by factors such as the utility derived from the product, the ease of availability of the product, and the cost of the product.
Consumer Surplus
Consumer surplus is the additional benefit which an individual derives from consuming a good or service beyond the marginal benefit associated with consuming the good or service. For example, an individual may derive additional satisfaction from consuming a product beyond the satisfaction derived from consuming the first unit of the product. This additional satisfaction is known as the consumer surplus.
Producer Surplus
Producer surplus is the additional benefit which a firm or producer derives from producing a good or service beyond the marginal cost associated with producing the good or service. For example, a firm may derive additional revenue from producing a product beyond the revenue derived from producing the first unit of the product. This additional revenue is known as the producer surplus.
Conclusion
Marginalism is a branch of economic theory which is based on the concept of marginal utility and the idea that people make decisions by weighing up the costs and benefits of a particular choice. It is based on the assumption that the satisfaction derived from consuming an additional unit of a good or service diminishes as the quantity of that good or service increases. Marginal analysis is used to evaluate the marginal costs and marginal benefits of a particular economic decision or activity, and is used to make more informed economic decisions. The concept of consumer surplus and producer surplus is also used in marginalist economics to measure the additional benefits which an individual or a firm can derive from consuming or producing a good or service.