Economics is concerned with the trade-offs that emerge because of scarcity. the term "trade-offs" refers to: the decision about whether households or businesses should bear the entire burden of the scarcity problem. the buying and selling that occur as unwanted goods are exchanged for goods that are desired. the alternatives given up when making choices. recycling and transforming old goods into new goods to reduce scarcity problems. forcing businesses to produce some goods and services and not others.