Background
Survey data is a cornerstone of many economic analyses. The General Household Survey is one such critical instrument used in understanding household composition, behavior, and other socio-economic factors.
Historical Context
The General Household Survey (GHS) was initiated in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Its primary goal was to collect data from private households annually, addressing various topics ranging from health and education to employment and housing conditions.
Definitions and Concepts
The General Household Survey refers specifically to a detailed survey conducted periodically to gather comprehensive data about households. This survey is synonymous with the General Lifestyle Survey, which reflects its broad reach into various aspects of household living conditions.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
While the Classical Economics framework underlines production and market systems, the GHS provides raw data that show household consumption patterns, which indirectly inform supply/demand analyses.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical economists rely on detailed data like that from the GHS to create utility functions and consumer choice models. The survey strengthens empirical validations of theoretical models.
Keynesian Economics
Macro-economic theories, such as those proposed by Keynesians, utilize statistically robust data from surveys like the GHS to develop insights into aggregate demand and consumption patterns.
Marxian Economics
For Marxian economists, GHS data might serve to document disparities in wealth and income distributions, shedding light on socio-economic stratifications and class struggles.
Institutional Economics
The data from the GHS can reveal long-term trends in institutional behaviors in health, education, and labor markets, aiding economists in understanding the impacts of institutional policies on households.
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral economists could leverage the granular data from the GHS to study anomalies in rational behavior predictions, observing how households adapt to changing economic scenarios.
Post-Keynesian Economics
In post-Keynesian frameworks focusing on real-world economic complexities, GHS data inform analyses of financial stability at the household level and responses to macroeconomic policies.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists emphasize individual choices and market dynamics. Data from the GHS offer insights into subjective household preferences and how these influence market functions.
Development Economics
Surveys like the GHS are vital in tracking developmental progress in different regions by evaluating the standard of living, educational attendance, and access to services.
Monetarism
Monetarists may utilize household spending data from the GHS to analyze the velocity of money and its implications on inflation within an economy.
Comparative Analysis
Comparatively, the General Household Survey (GHS) in the UK sets a precedent for similar surveys globally, such as the American Community Survey (ACS) in the United States and the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey. Differences among these can include survey frequency, breadth, and survey methodology.
Case Studies
Successful implementations of the General Household Survey have led to notable policy interventions—for instance, adjustments in welfare programs, targeted health interventions, and educational improvements based on survey findings.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Survey Methods in Social Investigation” by C.A. Moser and G. Kalton.
- “The Analysis of Household Surveys” by Angus Deaton.
- “Household Economics: Economic Action within the Family” by Saul D. Hoffman and Susan Averett.
Related Terms with Definitions
- General Lifestyle Survey: Equivalent to the General Household Survey, encompassing a comprehensive array of personal and household information.
- Income Distribution: Analysis derived from household surveys to understand income inequality.
- Household Consumption Expenditure: Data from surveys showing patterns of consumption within households.
This entry stands to equip you with a robust understanding of the General Household Survey and its far-reaching applications in the field of economics.
