Economics International Baccalaureate

Unit 1: Introduction to economics

• 1.1 What is economics?
• 1.2 How do economists approach the world?

Unit 2: Microeconomics

• 2.1 Demand
• 2.2 Supply
• 2.3 Competitive market equilibrium
• 2.4 Critique of the maximizing behaviour of consumers and producers
• 2.5 Elasticity of demand
• 2.6 Elasticity of supply
• 2.7 Role of government in microeconomics
• 2.8 Market failure—externalities and common pool or common access resources
• 2.9 Market failure—public goods
• 2.10 Market failure—asymmetric information (Higher Level only)
• 2.11 Market failure—market power (Higher Level only)
• 2.12 The market’s inability to achieve equity (Higher Level only)

Unit 3: Macroeconomics

• 3.1 Measuring economic activity and illustrating its variations
• 3.2 Variations in economic activity— aggregate demand and aggregate supply
• 3.3 Macroeconomic objectives
• 3.4 Economics of inequality and poverty
• 3.5 Demand management (demand-side policies)—monetary policy
• 3.6 Demand management—fiscal policy
• 3.7 Supply-side policies

Unit 4: The global economy

• 4.1 Benefits of international trade
• 4.2 Types of trade protection
• 4.3 Arguments for and against trade control/ protection
• 4.4 Economic integration
• 4.5 Exchange rates
• 4.6 Balance of payments
• 4.7 Sustainable development
• 4.8 Measuring development
• 4.9 Barriers to economic growth and/or economic development
• 4.10 Economic growth and/or economic development strategies

The course is made up of both externally assessed examinations and an internally assessed portfolio. King’s InterHigh will support with guidance around where external exams may be sat. These exams are sat at the end of the two year programme.

Three commentaries based on different units of the syllabus (except the introductory unit) and from published extracts from the news media, analysed using different key concepts.

• Paper 1: Extended response paper based on all units of the syllabus
• Paper 2: Data response paper based on all units of the syllabus
• Paper 3: Policy paper based on all units of the syllabus (Higher Level only)

Paper 1:

• Explain two reasons why a government might set a price ceiling (maximum price) on a good.
• Using real-world examples, discuss the consequences of a price ceiling on stakeholders.

Paper 2

• Using a poverty cycle diagram, explain how the net increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico between 2010 and 2015 might lead to an improvement in economic development

Learning IB Economics online allows students to enjoy the following features:

• 24/7 access to course resources and lessons, recorded and catalogued.
• A flexible, international, high energy learning experience.
• Experienced, subject specialist teachers to both Standard and Higher level.
• Live, responsive teaching and feedback in small classes.
• High academic standards and levels of support.
• Positive learning culture and systems for communication.