Understanding Economics: The Engine of Society Economics is more than just money and markets; it is the heartbeat of civilization. From the choices we make as individuals to the strategic decisions of multinational corporations and governments, economics influences every facet of human existence. It helps explain how societies use limited resources to satisfy infinite wants, and it provides tools to analyze how people interact, how institutions develop, and how prosperity or poverty evolves. This article explores the essence of economics — its foundations, branches, theories, real-world applications, and its role in shaping our world. --- 1. What Is Economics? Economics is the social science that studies how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate scarce resources to meet competing needs and desires. It answers the fundamental questions of: What to produce? How to produce? For whom to produce? Scarcity is the cornerstone of economics. Resources like time, money, labor, raw ma...