The structure of a market economy as an economic system depends on which principle underlies division. It can occur, for example, on a functional basis, based on the purpose and nature of its elements. Then the structure of the global economy is as follows:
1 person. This is both a goal and a means of economics. A goal because it functions to provide for people. A means, because the work of the individual is the main resource of the economy.
2. Natural wealth. This is all that is given to people in a natural way: minerals, water, flora, air, fauna, light and heat of the Sun. Also, nature is a habitat for all of humanity.
3. Means of production. These are the products of individuals that help make new products.
4. Consumer goods. This is all that people need to satisfy their personal needs.
5. Infrastructure. These are objects that provide human life and the normal functioning of production.
The structure of the economy can be formed in other ways. It depends on the approach to the subject. For example, you can imagine this science as a combination of several industries that are interconnected.
In this case, the sectoral structure of the economy consists of two areas of production activity. Each of them includes several objects that perform their functions using various technologies.
These are branches of material production and intangible (in other words, the socio-cultural sphere). The main difference between the two is the original product. In the branches of the socio-cultural sphere, it is represented by such abstract concepts as intellectuality, spirituality, information. And the product of the branches of material production is material. Both areas are divided into a number of additional industries. The main area of material production is industry. The products it produces in developed countries are five times higher than those produced by agriculture. This includes the extraction and processing of raw materials, the production of energy and materials. Industry is a mega-industry, which is divided into the following types:
- mining;
- light;
- processing;
- machine-building.
The latter is also divided into several smaller industries (for example, automotive, instrument making, shipbuilding and others).
When the structure of the economy is built by industry, it should be remembered that the term "industry" is ambiguous. It has several definitions:
1) the industry is “pure”, consisting of a combination of production of one type of product;
2) the economic sector - these are enterprises that produce mainly an industry product;
3) administrative - these are several enterprises that are subject to one administrative body (for example, a ministry).
The next structure of the economy is regional. It divides the country into several parts, based on a territorial attribute. This means that it is composed of those economic objects that are located in a particular region.
Of course, the regional economy is directly related to the natural resources of the territory. However, this does not mean that it fully coincides with the administrative division adopted in the country. After all, it is inconsistent, it can change, while the economy remains the same. Moreover, even objects remain in place, except that they change their names. That is, the definition of "regional" is broader. It includes the traditions of the nation and its history, labor and natural resources, communication with residents, with statehood, and in some matters with the political system of society.
So the concept of “territorial economy” is not only and not so much geographic as state-national. Also, it is not completely closed. Workforce moves across the borders of the region , resources of other territories are used, cargo is transported from one place to another.