Chapter 1.2: Microeconomics vs Macroeconomics

The difference between microeconomics and macroeconomics was one of those things that I just couldn’t understand during my class 11. So I did some research and in this article, I’m going to share everything I learned with you.

Introduction

The term “microeconomics” and “macroeconomics” were coined and first used by a Norwegian economist and a professor of Oslo University, Ragnar Frisch, in the year 1933 AD. The terms ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ were derived from Greek words “mikros” and “makros” meaning “small” and “big” respectively.

Microeconomics may be defined as that branch of economic analysis that studies the economic behavior of the individual economic units such as a person, a household, a firm, etc.

Macroeconomics, on the other hand, can be defined as that branch of economic analysis that studies the behavior of not one particular unit, but of all the economic units combined. Hence, McConnel observes, “Here we study forest, not the trees. It gives us a bird’s eye view of the economy.”

Differences between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

The differences between Positive Economics and Normative Economics are mentioned below:

Basis	Microeconomics	Macroeconomics
Definition	Microeconomics may be defined as that branch of economic analysis that studies the economic behavior of the individual economic units such as a person, a household, a firm, etc.	Macroeconomics, on the other hand, can be defined as that branch of economic analysis that studies the behavior of not one particular unit, but of all the economic units combined.
Origin & Development	It is a relatively old subject. It was developed by the pioneer of the classical school of thought, Adam Smith after the publication of “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of Wealth of Nation” in 1776 AD.	It is a relatively new subject. It was developed by John Maynard Keynes in his famous book “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money” in 1936 AD.
Etymological meaning	It is derived from the Greek word “mikros” which means “small.”	It is derived from the Greek word “makros” which means “big.”
Central Problem	It deals with the central problem of allocation of resources and related principles and policies.	It deals with the central problems of the determination of income and employment, full utilization and growth of resources, and related principles and policies.
Objective	Some major objectives of microeconomics are profit and utility maximization.	Some major objectives of macroeconomics are full employment, economic growth, income distribution, poverty alleviation, etc.
Suitability	It is suitable to study the problems of individual economic units.	It is suitable for the problems of the economy as a whole.
Known as	It is also known as “Price Theory” or “Value Theory.”	It is also called “Theory of Income and Employment” or “Keynesian Theory.”
Assumption	It is based on the assumption of full employment of resources.	It rejects the assumption of full employment. It is concerned with how resources can be fully employed.
Method of Study	It uses partial equilibrium analysis, i.e., it shows the effect of one factor or the study assuming other factors are constant.	It uses general equilibrium analysis as independence among macroeconomic variables.

Conclusion

Though, microeconomics and macroeconomics deal with different issues and subject matters, these are not completely distinct. These are complementary and different approaches to economic analysis. In the absence of one, the objective of the study of economics cannot be fulfilled.

If you read this article entirely and want to learn more about the basics of economics, read the articles given below.

Also Read

1. Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Economics and Allocation of Resources
2. Chapter 1.1: Positive Economics vs Normative Economics
3. Accounting Terminologies | Class 11 Accountancy (Notes)
4. Cash Book | Class 11 Accountancy (Notes & Exercises)