A cycle is ... What is a cycle? What are the cycles?

They say that everything in life is cyclical. Usually this means that sooner or later everything repeats in a circle, although, perhaps, on a new qualitative level. So what do we know about cycles?

Definition and brief description

In a general sense, a cycle is a repeating sequence of events. There are also more specific definitions. For example, the same term can mean a set of literary, musical or other works united by a common idea. In mathematics, a closed sequence of adjacent edges of a graph is called a cycle. In chemistry, this term is also present. In this region, a cycle is a certain configuration of atoms in a molecule, under which they form a closed broken line. There is such a thing in marketing. In this discipline it is usually said about the stages of the life cycle of a given commodity. So this concept is used in many fields of science. And yet, most often you can hear such a phrase as a business or economic cycle. What does this mean?

Theory of cycles in economics

Everyone knows that from time to time even in the most slender systems crises occur. The same applies to a market economy. Even in the XVIII-XIX centuries, scientists noticed that crises occur at approximately equal intervals. They are followed by other events, which are also invariably repeated. Of course, this does not mean that each time there is only the same thing. Each next stage proceeds at a qualitatively new level, so that the economy in any case moves forward.

Realizing that there is a certain pattern, scientists began to look for the causes of this phenomenon. And despite the fact that they could not explain this, a huge number of factors were identified, which, perhaps, are the basis of this process.

There are four main phases of the cycle: recovery (recovery), peak, recession (recession) and crisis (bottom, depression). After the end of this sequence, everything starts again. Each of these stages has its own characteristic features, by which they can be easily identified.

During the recession, production is declining, unemployment is increasing, incomes Population fall, as well as the amount of savings. If this period is delayed, then the means of production become cheaper. Ultimately, this can lead to deflation, that is, lower prices.

The lower point of recession - depression - is characterized by the lowest level of employment, output, income. As a rule, the crisis period does not last long, and after it a recovery or recovery begins. Unemployment is falling again, incomes and production levels are rising, as are the prices that are affected by the increase in effective demand. This period also affects the functioning of the banking system.

Having reached the limit level, production ceases to expand and works in full force. This period is called a boom or peak. At this point, business activity is almost not growing, remaining at the same level. The economy may seem prosperous, but after the peak the recession again comes. Each cycle is another stage in development.

Varieties

Depending on the duration, there are several types of economic cycles, which, as a rule, affect different spheres of life. In some sources there are different names, the number of species also varies, but, as a rule, they talk about 4, and they are called by their surnames scientists who were engaged in their research:

1. Kitchin. The shortest is 2-4 years. As a rule, they affect commodity cycles, unemployment, inflation, gross national product, the size of stocks.
2. Juglara. Duration - 7-12 years. There are fluctuations in the value of GNP, investment flows. Also affect employment and inflation.
3. The blacksmith. The cycle lasts 16-25 years. They are usually associated with demographic and migration processes that have an impact on the economy.
4. Kondratieff. Lasts about 40-60 years. In these cycles, there have been changes in technical progress, as well as structural shifts.

Sometimes other varieties are identified, affecting even more global processes. However, most sources agree on this classification.

Causes of cyclicity

Many well-known scientists have been studying the reasons why the economy passes through the same stages and events over and over again, albeit in a modified form. Interesting hypotheses appeared that were later rejected, for example, theories of dependence on the location of spots on the sun were suggested, which influenced the yield. With the passage of time, mankind has ceased so much to depend on agriculture. And then it became clear that the sun does not have such a strong influence.

To date, there are three main approaches to the issue of the reasons for the cyclical nature of economic development. One of them explains this phenomenon by internal factors, the other by external factors, and the third by the totality of those Others. In the meantime, research continues, it is impossible to unequivocally talk about the reasons why cycles of economic development succeed each other. It remains to accept this fact and take it into account in planning.

Cycles in programming

Not without the use of this term in their work and computer specialists. Here a cycle is a sequence of certain operations that is performed repeatedly. It can be unconditional or conditional. The first variety is sometimes even called endless, because sometimes there is no way out of this situation. In the second case, the reason for stopping the execution of the cycle may be to obtain certain results or a specified number of repetitions.

The use of the term in gynecology

In medicine this term is familiar to every adult woman. Speech, certainly, about a menstrual cycle. This is what speaks about the health of the reproductive system, the ability of a woman to conceive a child and successfully endure it. And any serious problems immediately affect fertility.

Why is this called a cycle? Of course, because of the repetitive sequence of certain processes. There is even a division into the phases of the cycle: follicular, ovulatory and luteal. At each of these stages, various important processes occur. On the first - the ovaries grow follicles, one of which becomes dominant. On the second - there is an ovulation, that is, an egg is released, ready for fertilization. All this time the uterus is preparing for a possible embryo reception - its inner surface is lined with a special tissue. At the last stage, if fertilization does not occur, the cycle ends, to start again. Such is the peculiar cycle of life, which always strives to begin.