The Market Economy - Supply and Demand
When goods are in short supply and the demand for it is high, then the price goes up because when goods are in short supply consumers are prepared to pay more for goods they want or need. When goods are in plentiful supply and the demand is very low, the price will decrease because those who couldn´t buy that product before will now be able to afford it.
Social cost
The jobs that are in very low demands. The workers usually get paid very low wages or they get sacked. When the company is not making enough profit they shut down they old business and run a new business and those who were employed for the old business, would get sacked or replaced by those who are good at the new business.
One quarter of a million people once worked in the south Wales coal industry in 1917. Now there are very few because the demand for coal has declined and the reason for this is that companies are competing with each other, they reduced the price of their coal. The use of coals in people´s houses is reduced because people now use electricity rather that coal.
these people who have lost their jobs feel very angry and disappointed, some are now too old to get another job and others have nothing else to do especially the young ones, who only hang about, doing nothing. They once very proud mining community is gone for good and the mines all closed down.
Changing patterns of employment
The pattern of employment has changed. There are now more jobs for women. A lot of the jobs are now part-time. The new jobs are more secure requiring greater flexibility on the part of the work force. The once powerful unions have less power than before and the workers less say in how the industry is run. New jobs are less paid and considered more suitable for women.
Regeneration. What can Government do?
The aim of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation is to provide jobs for those who once worked in the mines that provide jobs for those who once worked in the mines that have now closed down and those who have no work, it is a very successful company and is supported very much by its workers.
The only way?
Some people think that there are things wrong with the Market Economy. They think that it doesn´t fulfil others needs and wants and the workers don´t get paid enough. So they have suggested a planned economy and say that it is better, they think that this way they will be able to find out what people want and need more, and what they need to make more of to meet others needs.