Macroeconomis
Macroeconomis
Macroeconomis
Macroeconomics: is like looking at the big picture of an economy. It's about understanding how the economy
as a whole works. It deals with things like national income, unemployment rates, inflation, and overall
economic growth.
Microeconomics: on the other hand, is more about the smaller details. It focuses on individual economic
units like households, businesses, or markets. Microeconomics looks at how individuals and firms make
decisions about what to buy, sell, or produce.
In macroeconomics, we look at various issues that affect the overall performance of an economy. Here are
some common macroeconomic issues:
• Unemployment: This is when people who are willing to work are unable to find jobs. High
unemployment rates can indicate a struggling economy.
• Inflation: This is the rate at which prices for goods and services rise. While some inflation is normal,
too much can erode purchasing power and destabilize the economy.
• Economic Growth: Economies aim to grow over time, meaning they produce more goods and services.
Sustainable growth leads to higher living standards and more opportunities.
• Income Inequality: This refers to the unequal distribution of income among individuals in a society.
High levels of income inequality can lead to social unrest and hinder economic growth.
• Fiscal Policy: This involves government decisions about spending and taxation to influence the
economy. For example, governments might increase spending during a recession to stimulate demand.
• Monetary Policy: This is managed by a central bank and involves decisions about interest rates and the
money supply to control inflation and stabilize the economy.
• Trade Balance: This refers to the difference between exports and imports. A trade deficit (importing
more than exporting) can lead to issues like currency depreciation and debt accumulation.
• Financial Stability: This involves ensuring that the financial system is robust and can withstand
shocks. Issues like banking crises or stock market crashes can destabilize the economy.
These are just a few examples of the macroeconomic issues that economists and policymakers’ study and try
to address to ensure a healthy and stable economy.
3. What do you know about withdrawals related to circular flow of national income?
In the circular flow of national income, withdrawals refer to the money that exits the circular flow of income
and spending, representing leakages from the economy. There are three main types of withdrawals: savings,
taxes, and imports.
Savings: When individuals or households save money, they are not spending it on goods and services. Instead,
they might deposit it in a bank or invest it. Savings represent a leakage from the circular flow because the
money is not being used immediately to purchase goods and services, which can reduce overall demand in the
economy. (Saving money and Investment in Financial Institutions = Leakage)
(Expenditure of Financial Institutions in Public = Injections)
Taxes: Taxes are payments made by individuals and businesses to the government. When taxes are collected,
the government removes money from the economy to fund public services and expenditures. This withdrawal
reduces the amount of disposable income that households and businesses have available for spending.
Imports: Imports are goods and services that are produced in other countries and purchased by residents of
the domestic economy. When money is spent on imports, it leaves the circular flow of income and represents
a leakage. This is because the money is flowing out of the domestic economy to pay for goods and services
produced abroad, rather than being used to support domestic production and employment.
These withdrawals are balanced by injections into the circular flow, such as investment, government spending,
and exports. In a stable economy, withdrawals and injections are roughly equal, ensuring that the circular flow
remains balanced, and that overall income and spending are maintained.
• Non-Market Activities: GDP typically excludes non-market activities, such as household chores,
volunteer work, and DIY (do-it-yourself) activities that are not exchanged for money in the market.
• Underground Economy: Economic activities that occur outside the formal economy and are not
reported to the government, such as black-market transactions, illegal activities (like drug trafficking),
and informal work, are not included in GDP.
• Second hand Sales: GDP only includes the value of final goods and services produced within the
country during the specified period. Transactions involving used goods, like buying and selling of used
cars or resale of previously owned items, are not counted in GDP.
• Financial Transactions: Activities involving purely financial transactions, such as stock market trades,
bond sales, and financial intermediation (e.g., banking services), are not directly included in GDP. GDP
focuses on the value added through production of goods and services, not financial transactions
themselves.
• Transfer Payments: Transfer payments, such as social security benefits, unemployment benefits, and
welfare payments, are not counted in GDP because they do not represent payments for newly
produced goods or services.
• Intermediate Goods and Services: Only the value of final goods and services is included in GDP.
Intermediate goods and services, which are used as inputs in the production of other goods and
services, are not counted to avoid double counting.
• Home Production for Own Use: Goods and services produced by households for their own use, such
as homegrown vegetables, homemade meals, and self-built furniture, are not included in GDP.
These exclusions help to ensure that GDP provides an accurate measure of the value of goods and services
produced for market exchange within an economy.
6. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using GDP as a measure of National Welfare.
Strengths:
• Easy to Measure: GDP is relatively easy to calculate and widely available, making it a convenient
metric for assessing economic performance and comparing the relative size of different economies.
• Comprehensive Indicator: GDP provides a comprehensive measure of the total value of goods and
services produced within a country's borders, capturing the overall economic activity and output of an
economy.
• Correlation with Standard of Living: In general, higher GDP per capita is associated with higher
standards of living, as it indicates a greater availability of goods and services that contribute to material
well-being, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
• Policy Implications: GDP is often used as a target for policymakers to stimulate economic growth and
improve living standards. Policies aimed at increasing GDP, such as investment in infrastructure or
expansionary monetary policies, can lead to improvements in employment, income, and overall
welfare.
Weaknesses:
• Quality of Life Factors: GDP does not account for factors that contribute to overall well-being beyond
material consumption, such as income distribution, inequality, environmental quality, health,
education, and social cohesion. As a result, it may not fully capture the quality of life experienced by
individuals within a society.
• Non-Market Activities: GDP excludes non-market activities, such as household work, volunteerism,
and leisure time, which can contribute significantly to welfare but are not reflected in monetary terms.
• Distributional Issues (Unequal Distribution of Income): GDP does not account for income
distribution within a country. A high GDP per capita does not necessarily imply equitable distribution of
wealth or income, and disparities in income distribution can lead to social tensions and inequality
despite high GDP.
• Environmental Degradation: GDP growth can sometimes come at the expense of environmental
degradation and depletion of natural resources. GDP does not account for the negative externalities
associated with economic activities, such as pollution, deforestation, or depletion of biodiversity.
• Quality vs. Quantity: GDP does not distinguish between the quality and quantity of goods and services
produced. Increasing GDP through the production of goods and services that may have negative social
or environmental consequences may not necessarily lead to improvements in overall welfare.
(Example: Cigarettes)
In summary, while GDP provides a useful measure of economic activity and is correlated with standards of
living to some extent, it has limitations in capturing overall welfare and quality of life. Complementary
measures, such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Gross National Happiness (GNH), or Genuine
Progress Indicator (GPI), which account for a broader range of factors, are often used alongside GDP to provide
a more comprehensive assessment of national welfare.
Calculation Calculated using current market prices. Calculated using a base year's prices to remove
the effects of inflation or deflation.
Inflation Does not account for changes in prices Adjusts for changes in prices over time to
Effect over time. provide a more accurate measure of changes in
production.
Comparison May overstate or understate actual Provides a more accurate measure of changes in
changes in production due to fluctuations production by removing the effects of price
in prices. changes.
Economic Less useful for analysing changes in actual Used to analyse changes in actual production
Analysis production over time. over time, independent of changes in prices.
Policy May lead to incorrect policy decisions if Helps policymakers understand whether
Implications changes in nominal income are solely changes in income are due to changes in actual
attributed to changes in production rather production or changes in prices, informing
than changes in prices. appropriate policy responses.
8. Explain the various methods to calculate the National Income. What are the problems
faced while estimating National Income?
Production or Value-Added Method: This method calculates National Income by summing up the value
added at each stage of production within the economy. It involves adding up the value of goods and services
produced by each sector (agriculture, manufacturing, services, etc.), deducting intermediate consumption
(the value of goods and services used as inputs), and adding taxes on products minus subsidies.
GDPmp = Value of Output - Value of Intermediate Consumption
Income Method: This method calculates National Income by summing up all the factor incomes earned in the
economy. It includes wages and salaries, profits of businesses, rents from land and property, and interest on
savings and investments. Additionally, it adds indirect taxes and subtracts subsidies to arrive at National
Income.
NDPfc = (Profits + Rent +Interest)Operating Surplus + Mixed Income + Compensation of Employees
Expenditure Method: This method calculates National Income by summing up all the expenditures made on
final goods and services within the economy. It includes consumption expenditure by households, investment
expenditure by businesses, government expenditure on goods and services, and net exports (exports minus
imports).
GDPmp = Consumption Expenditure + Investment Expenditure + Government Expenditure + (Exports -
Imports)
• Underground Economy: One of the major challenges is accounting for economic activities that occur
in the informal or underground economy, such as black-market transactions and informal work, which
often go unreported and unrecorded.
• Non-Market Activities: National Income calculations may not account for non-market activities, such
as household work, volunteerism, and leisure time, which contribute to welfare but are not exchanged
for money in the market.
• Double Counting: Ensuring that only the value of final goods and services is included in National
Income calculations to avoid double counting of intermediate goods and services used in the
production process can be challenging.
• Quality Changes: Changes in the quality of goods and services over time pose a challenge in
accurately measuring National Income, as improvements in quality are not always reflected in price
changes.
• Inflation and Deflation: Adjusting for inflation or deflation to calculate Real National Income
accurately requires choosing an appropriate base year and applying appropriate price indices, which
can introduce inaccuracies into the calculation.
• Data Availability: Gathering accurate and comprehensive data on economic activities, particularly in
developing countries or regions with limited statistical infrastructure, can be challenging, leading to
uncertainties in National Income estimates.
• Globalization: Globalization and international trade pose challenges in accurately measuring National
Income, especially when accounting for cross-border transactions, multinational corporations, and
transfer pricing practices.
Positive Aspects:
• Higher Standards of Living: An increase in National Income often correlates with higher standards of
living, as it implies increased consumption possibilities, better access to goods and services, improved
infrastructure, and higher levels of employment and income for individuals.
• Investment in Social Services: Increased National Income can provide governments with more
resources to invest in social services such as education, healthcare, social security, and infrastructure,
which are essential for enhancing social welfare.
• Reduced Poverty: Higher National Income can lead to a reduction in poverty levels by providing
opportunities for income generation, improving access to education and healthcare, and implementing
social safety nets for vulnerable populations.
Limitations and Considerations:
• Income Inequality: National Income growth does not guarantee equitable distribution of wealth and
income among all segments of society. If income inequality widens, the benefits of economic growth
may not reach everyone, and certain groups may continue to experience poverty and social exclusion.
• Quality of Life Factors: National Income does not capture various factors that contribute to overall
well-being and social welfare, such as health outcomes, educational attainment, environmental
quality, social cohesion, and subjective well-being. Focusing solely on income growth may neglect
these important dimensions of welfare.
• Social Factors: Social welfare encompasses broader social factors such as equity, justice,
empowerment, and social inclusion, which may not necessarily improve with economic growth alone.
Addressing these social factors requires targeted policies and interventions beyond economic growth.
• Role in National Income Accounting: In the context of National Income accounting, depreciation
represents the consumption of capital in the production process. It is deducted from the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) to obtain Net Domestic Product (NDP), which provides a more accurate
measure of the net output of the economy.
• Types of Depreciation: Depreciation can be categorized into various types, including physical
depreciation (e.g., machinery wearing out), technological depreciation (e.g., outdated equipment), and
functional depreciation (e.g., changes in market demand).
• Importance: Properly accounting for depreciation is crucial for assessing the true economic output of
an economy and understanding the sustainability of its growth. Failure to account for depreciation can
lead to overestimation of economic activity and misallocation of resources.
Operating Surplus
• Definition: Operating surplus refers to the income earned by businesses from their operations after
deducting expenses such as wages, rent, interest, and taxes.
• Components: It includes profits earned by businesses, as well as other forms of income such as
dividends, retained earnings, and rental income.
• Significance: Operating surplus is a key component of National Income, as it reflects the rewards to
capital and entrepreneurship in the economy. It indicates the efficiency and profitability of businesses
and their contribution to overall economic activity.
• Distribution: The distribution of operating surplus among different factors of production, such as
labour and capital, has implications for income inequality and social welfare.
• Economic Significance: Net income from abroad reflects the extent to which a country earns more
from its foreign investments and activities than it pays out or vice versa. A positive net income indicates
that the country is a net creditor to the rest of the world, while a negative net income indicates that it is
a net debtor.
• Impact on Balance of Payments: Net income from abroad is an important component of the current
account of the balance of payments and can influence a country's balance of trade and overall external
balance.
• Cause: It arises due to the complex nature of production processes, where multiple stages of
production involve the use of intermediate goods and services.
• Solution: To avoid double counting, only the value of final goods and services is included in National
Income calculations. This is achieved by deducting the value of intermediate consumption from the
value of output.
• Importance: Proper identification and exclusion of intermediate goods and services are essential to
ensure accurate National Income estimates. Failure to address double counting can lead to distortions
in National Income figures and misrepresentations of the true level of economic activity in an economy.
11. What is money? Explain the various function of money. Can Bank or Paper money in
isolation perform all these functions?
Money is a medium of exchange and a unit of account widely accepted in transactions for goods, services, or
payment of debts within an economy. It serves as a store of value, facilitating economic transactions and
enabling specialization and trade. Money can take various forms, including coins, banknotes, and digital
currency.
• Medium of Exchange: Money serves as a convenient medium for exchanging goods and services. It
eliminates the need for barter by providing a universally accepted means of payment. Individuals can
use money to buy goods and services directly, without the need for a double coincidence of wants.
• Unit of Account: Money provides a common unit of measurement for expressing the value of goods,
services, and assets. It facilitates comparison and valuation of different goods and helps individuals
make informed decisions about allocation of resources.
• Store of Value: Money serves as a store of value, allowing individuals to save purchasing power over
time. By holding money, individuals can defer consumption and preserve wealth for future use. Money
acts as a repository of wealth that can be stored and retrieved as needed.
• Standard of Deferred Payment: Money enables transactions to be conducted over time by serving as
a standard for deferred payments. Contracts, loans, and other financial obligations can be
denominated in terms of money, allowing parties to agree on future payments based on a common unit
of value.
While banknotes (paper money) and bank deposits (electronic money) issued by central banks and
commercial banks serve as the primary forms of money in modern economies, they may not perform all
functions of money in isolation:
Medium of Exchange: Both bank and paper money are widely accepted as a medium of exchange, facilitating
transactions. Individuals and businesses can use them to buy goods and services and settle debts.
Unit of Account: Bank and paper money also serve as a unit of account, providing a common measure for
expressing the value of goods and services. Prices are quoted in terms of the monetary unit, allowing for
comparison and valuation.
Store of Value: While bank deposits can serve as a store of value by preserving purchasing power, paper
money may be less effective in this regard due to the risk of inflation, loss, or theft. Deposits in banks are
backed by the financial stability of the banking system, providing greater security for storing wealth.
Standard of Deferred Payment: Bank deposits and paper money can function as a standard for deferred
payments, allowing contracts and financial obligations to be denominated in terms of money. However, the
ability to fulfil future payments depends on the stability and reliability of the banking system and monetary
policy.
In conclusion, while bank and paper money can perform many functions of money, their effectiveness may
depend on the broader financial infrastructure, regulatory framework, and confidence in the monetary system.
12. What is fiat money? What are the limitations of the Barter System?
Fiat Money:
• Double coincidence of wants: You need to find someone who wants what you have and has what you
need at the same time. Imagine trying to trade your freshly baked bread for a haircut!
• Difficulty valuing goods: How many chickens is a haircut worth? Barter requires constant haggling
over value.
• Limited divisibility: It's hard to divide a cow in half if you only need a little bit of milk. Barter makes
buying small things difficult.
• Lack of a store of value: How do you save your bartered goods? They might spoil or lose value over
time.
13. What is High Powered Money? How does it influence Money Supply in the economy?
• High powered money acts like a seed that gets planted and grows into a much larger money supply.
• Banks can use their reserves to create new money through lending. When they lend money, they don't
just hand out existing reserves, they create new deposits in the borrower's account.
• There's a limit to this though, banks are required to keep a certain percentage of deposits as reserves
(called the reserve ratio). The rest they can lend out.
• So, the more high-powered money there is, the more a bank can lend, which increases the money
supply in circulation.
Imagine this:
• The central bank injects $100 of new high-powered money (currency) into the economy.
• A bank receives this $100 and, based on the reserve ratio (let's say 10%), keeps $10 as reserves and
lends out the remaining $90.
• The borrower spends that $90, which ends up deposited in another bank.
• That second bank can then lend out a portion of that new deposit, further increasing the money supply.
14. Explain the Fisher's quantity theory of money. Also explain its Criticism.
• MV + M'V' = PQ
Here, M' represents the stock of credit money and V' represents its velocity (how often deposits are used for
transactions). This addition acknowledged that credit money plays a significant role alongside physical
currency in influencing total spending and the price level.
While Fisher's theory provides a basic framework, it's not without limitations:
• Oversimplification: Critics argue the theory is too simplistic and doesn't account for many factors
influencing prices and economic activity.
• Velocity not constant: The velocity of money (V and V') is assumed to be constant. However, in reality,
it can change due to factors like interest rates, economic confidence, and payment innovations.
• Ignores expectations: The theory doesn't consider how expectations about future inflation can impact
spending and prices.
• Limited role of output: The role of economic output (Q) is somewhat passive in the theory. Changes in
output due to factors like technological advancements can also impact prices.
15. What are the limits of Credit Creation power of Commercial Banks?
Commercial banks can't create credit endlessly. Here are some key factors that limit their credit creation
power:
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): This is a central bank regulation that requires commercial banks to hold a
certain percentage of deposits as reserves with the central bank. The higher the CRR, the less money a
bank has available to lend, limiting credit creation.
• Deposit Levels: Banks can only lend out what they receive in deposits. If deposits fall, banks have less
money to lend.
• Loan Demand: Businesses and individuals may not be interested in borrowing if economic conditions
are uncertain, or interest rates are high. This reduces the bank's ability to create credit.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR): This is another regulation that ensures banks maintain a minimum
capital buffer relative to their risk-weighted assets. A higher CAR may limit lending to maintain the
required capital ratio.
• Collateral Requirements: Banks often require borrowers to pledge collateral (like property) to secure
loans. If acceptable collateral isn't available, banks may be more cautious about lending, limiting credit
creation.
• Risk Management: Banks need to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers. If a borrower seems
unlikely to repay, the bank may be unwilling to lend, limiting credit creation.
• Monetary Policy: The central bank's actions can influence credit creation. Tightening monetary policy
(raising interest rates or selling government bonds) can make it more expensive for banks to borrow
reserves, limiting their ability to lend.
16. What are the factors on which Credit Creation Depends? Can Commercial Banks create
as much credit they wish? Give Reasons.
Absolutely. Credit creation by commercial banks depends on several factors, and no, they can't create credit
infinitely. Here's a breakdown:
• Deposit Levels: The foundation of credit creation is public deposits. The more people deposit in banks,
the more money banks have available to lend out.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): This is a central bank regulation that dictates what portion of deposits
banks must hold as reserves. A higher CRR reduces the amount of money available for lending.
• Loan Demand: Businesses and individuals need to be willing to borrow money. Low loan demand due
to economic uncertainty or high-interest rates restricts credit creation.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR): Another regulation, this ensures banks maintain a minimum capital
buffer relative to their risky loans. Maintaining a high CAR might limit lending to stay within the required
capital ratio.
• Collateral Requirements: Banks often ask for collateral (like property) to secure loans. If borrowers
lack suitable collateral, banks might hesitate to lend, limiting credit creation.
• Risk Management: Banks assess borrowers' creditworthiness. If a borrower seems unlikely to repay,
the bank may be unwilling to lend, restricting credit creation.
• Reserve Requirements: As mentioned, CRR limits the amount of money banks can lend. They need to
hold a portion as reserves, restricting the pool available for credit creation.
• Deposit Fluctuations: Banks rely on deposits to create credit. If deposits become unstable or
decrease, banks have less money to lend.
• Risk Management: Uncontrolled credit creation can lead to bad loans and financial instability for the
bank. Banks need to balance risk and profitability, limiting credit to high-risk borrowers.
• Interbank Market: Banks rely on borrowing from each other to meet short-term needs. If other banks
are hesitant to lend due to economic conditions, it can restrict a bank's ability to create credit.
• Monetary Policy: The central bank's actions can influence credit creation. Tightening monetary policy
(raising interest rates or selling government bonds) can make it more expensive for banks to borrow
reserves, limiting their ability to lend.
• Inflationary Risks: Excessive credit creation can contribute to inflation by increasing the money supply
without a corresponding increase in goods and services. Central banks are mindful of this risk and may
take steps to curb excessive credit creation.
Central banks wield a toolbox of monetary policy instruments to influence the economy and achieve specific
goals, typically aiming for price stability (low and predictable inflation) and maximum employment. Here are
the main instruments:
• This is the central bank's buying and selling of government bonds in the open market.
• Buying bonds: Injects money into the economy. The central bank pays for the bonds with newly
created reserves, which banks can then lend out, increasing the money supply. This lowers interest
rates and encourages borrowing and spending, stimulating economic activity.
• Selling bonds: Absorbs money from the economy. The central bank sells bonds, and buyers pay with
their existing reserves. This reduces the money supply, pushing interest rates up and discouraging
borrowing and spending, aiming to curb inflation.
• This is a central bank regulation that dictates the percentage of deposits commercial banks must hold
as reserves with the central bank.
• Increasing CRR: Tightens monetary policy. By requiring banks to hold more reserves, there's less
money available for lending. This reduces the money supply and pushes interest rates up, aiming to
control inflation.
• Decreasing CRR: Eases monetary policy. Lower reserve requirements allow banks to lend out more,
increasing the money supply and lowering interest rates. This stimulates borrowing and spending to
boost economic growth.
Discount Rate (Repo Rate):
• This is the interest rate the central bank charges commercial banks for borrowing reserves from them.
• Increasing Discount Rate: Tightens monetary policy. Borrowing reserves becomes more expensive for
banks, discouraging them from borrowing and lending less. This reduces the money supply and pushes
interest rates up, aiming to control inflation.
• Decreasing Discount Rate: Eases monetary policy. Lower borrowing costs for banks incentivize them
to borrow more reserves and lend more. This increases the money supply and lowers interest rates,
stimulating economic activity.
The central bank uses these instruments in combination to achieve its desired economic goals. It considers
factors like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth when deciding which tool to use and by how much.
Additional Considerations:
• Moral Suasion: The central bank can use informal communication to influence banks' lending
behaviour.
• Quantitative Easing (QE): A more recent tool where the central bank electronically creates new money
to buy a wider range of assets, not just government bonds.
Speculative demand for money arises when people choose to hold onto cash instead of investing it in other
assets, like stocks or bonds, because they believe the value of money will increase relative to those assets in
the future. This can happen for a few reasons:
• Interest Rates: If people expect interest rates to rise, they might hold onto cash because they can earn
a higher return by keeping it in a savings account or money market account. For example, imagine you
think interest rates are going to go from 1% to 5% next year. You might be more likely to hold onto your
cash now to earn the higher interest rate later, rather than invest it in stocks or bonds, which might go
down in value if interest rates rise.
• Exchange Rates: In countries with volatile exchange rates, people might hold onto their domestic
currency if they believe it will become more valuable compared to foreign currencies. This can happen
due to various economic factors or political events.
• Market Volatility: During periods of high market volatility, when stock prices or bond prices are
fluctuating significantly, people might prefer to hold onto cash as a safe haven. They might see cash as
a less risky option compared to the uncertain returns of the stock market.
Automatic Stabilizer:
Automatic stabilizers are built-in features of the economy that help moderate economic fluctuations without
any government intervention. They act like automatic adjustments to stabilize the economy.
Examples:
• Tax System:
o Higher Economic Times: During economic booms, people tend to earn more and pay more in
taxes. This acts as an automatic fiscal drag on the economy. The government collects more tax
revenue, taking money out of circulation and preventing the economy from overheating.
o Lower Economic Times: During economic downturns, people earn less and pay less in taxes.
This injects money back into the economy through lower tax burdens (acting as an automatic
stimulus). People have more money to spend, which can help businesses and keep the
economy going.
• Unemployment Benefits:
o Higher Economic Times: In times of economic prosperity, unemployment is usually low.
Unemployment benefit programs don't have much impact as fewer people need them.
o Lower Economic Times: During economic downturns, unemployment rises. Unemployment
benefits provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed individuals, helping maintain
purchasing power during job searches. This helps them buy groceries, pay rent, and avoid
financial hardship. By supporting unemployed people, unemployment benefits can help
prevent a downturn from becoming even worse.
• Vulnerable to Theft and Loss: Physical cash can be easily stolen or lost, making it less secure than
digital money stored electronically. If you lose your cash, it's usually gone for good.
• Cost of Production and Distribution: There are significant costs associated with printing,
transporting, and replacing worn-out paper money. Governments need to factor in the cost of paper,
ink, security features, and the physical distribution network.
• Inefficiency for Large Transactions: Large transactions with physical cash become cumbersome and
impractical. Imagine trying to buy a car with a suitcase full of bills!
• Limited Divisibility: Dividing paper money for very small purchases can be difficult. For instance, if you
need to pay 2 cents for something, you can't exactly divide a dollar bill into that amount.
19. Explain the concept of APC MPC APS and MPS? How are these ratios Interrelated?
• In macroeconomics, we analyse how factors like income influence consumption and saving decisions
of individuals and households within an economy.
• Consumption (C): Refers to the spending of income on goods and services. People need to eat, have a
place to live, and so on. Consumption drives economic activity.
• Saving (S): Refers to the portion of income that is not consumed but rather set aside for future needs or
goals. Saving is important for things like retirement or emergencies.
• Average Propensity to Consume (APC): This ratio measures the average portion of income that
people spend on consumption within a specific period (usually a year).
o Formula: APC = C / Y (Consumption divided by Income)
o Interpretation: A higher APC indicates households, on average, consume a larger portion of
their income. A lower APC suggests a higher average saving rate.
• Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC): This ratio measures the change in consumption resulting
from a change in income. In simpler terms, it shows how much more people will spend if their income
increases by a certain amount.
o Formula: MPC = ΔC / ΔY (Change in Consumption divided by Change in Income)
o Interpretation: A high MPC indicates that a larger portion of the additional income will be
spent. A low MPC suggests a larger portion of the additional income will be saved.
• Average Propensity to Save (APS): This ratio is the average portion of income that people save within
a specific period.
o Formula: APS = S / Y (Saving divided by Income)
o Interpretation: A higher APS indicates households, on average, save a larger portion of their
income. A lower APS suggests a higher average consumption rate.
• Marginal Propensity to Save (MPS): This ratio is the change in saving resulting from a change in
income. It shows how much more people will save if their income increases by a certain amount.
o Formula: MPS = ΔS / ΔY (Change in Saving divided by Change in Income)
• Here's the key takeaway: APC + APS = 1 and MPC + MPS = 1 (This applies at any given income level).
o Why? Because all income is either consumed (C) or saved (S). There's no other option.
• Example: Imagine an income level (Y) of $100. If people spend $80 (C) on average, they must be saving
the remaining $20 (S). This translates to:
o APC = 80 / 100 = 0.8 (80% of income consumed on average)
o APS = 20 / 100 = 0.2 (20% of income saved on average)
o And as expected, 0.8 (APC) + 0.2 (APS) = 1
Remember:
• MPC and MPS typically lie between 0 and 1. A value of 1 for MPC would mean all additional income is
spent, and a value of 0 would mean all additional income is saved.
• APC and APS can be greater than or less than 1 depending on the income level. At very low-income
levels, people might spend more than they earn (dissaving), leading to an APC greater than 1.
By understanding these ratios, economists can analyse how changes in income might affect consumption and
saving behaviour, ultimately influencing economic activity.
20. Explain the Consumption function and Saving Function. What are the factors that affect
Propensity to Consume and Propensity to Save?
The consumption function and saving function are mathematical relationships used in macroeconomics to
understand how disposable income (income after taxes) influences consumption and saving decisions of
individuals and households.
This function shows the relationship between disposable income (Yd) and consumption spending (C). It's
typically written as:
C = a + b(Yd)
C = a + b(1-t)Y (after tax)
• a: Autonomous consumption (the level of consumption spending that occurs even when disposable
income is zero. This might include essential items like food and shelter purchased with savings or
credit).
• b: Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC). This represents the portion of each additional dollar of
disposable income that is spent on consumption. (0 < b < 1)
• (1-t): This subtracts the tax rate from 1 to get the portion of income remaining after taxes are paid. It
essentially reflects how much of each dollar earned is actually available for spending.
• Yd: Disposable income
This function shows the relationship between disposable income and saving. It can be derived from the
consumption function as:
S = Yd - C
S = -a + (1 - b)Yd
Here, (1 - b) represents the Marginal Propensity to Save (MPS). It's the portion of each additional dollar of
disposable income that is saved. (0 < MPS < 1) and (MPC + MPS = 1).
• Income Level: Generally, as income rises, MPC tends to decrease. This is because people allocate a
smaller portion of their income for basic needs as they earn more, allowing them to save a larger share.
• Interest Rates: Higher interest rates can incentivize saving as people earn a greater return on their
savings. This can lead to a lower MPC.
• Expectations about Future Income: If people expect their income to rise in the future, they might be
more comfortable spending more now, increasing MPC.
• Taxes: Changes in taxes can influence disposable income and therefore consumption. An increase in
taxes reduces disposable income, potentially lowering MPC.
• Wealth: People with higher wealth (assets minus liabilities) might have a lower MPC as they feel more
secure and can afford to save a larger portion of their income.
• Consumer Confidence: Overall economic optimism can lead to higher MPC as people feel more
confident about spending.
By understanding these functions and the factors that influence them, economists can analyse and predict
how changes in economic conditions might affect household spending and saving behaviour. This knowledge
is crucial for formulating economic policies to promote economic growth and stability.
21. Difference between Public Investment and Private Investment. Discuss the Determinant
of Investment.
Decision- Government officials, considering social Businesses, considering profitability and risk
Making and economic factors
Risk May be willing to take on some risk for Primarily focused on minimizing risk
Tolerance long-term benefits
Project Can be long-term with intangible benefits Often shorter-term with tangible returns
Timeline
Accountability Public officials accountable to voters Investors and stakeholders
Efficiency Can be susceptible to bureaucracy and Driven by efficiency and profit maximization
political pressures
Determinants of Investment
• Interest Rates: Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper, incentivizing businesses to invest in new
projects and equipment. Conversely, higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive, potentially
discouraging investment.
• Profit Expectations: Businesses are more likely to invest if they expect healthy profits in the future.
Factors like economic growth, consumer confidence, and technological advancements can influence
profit expectations.
• Availability of Credit: Businesses need access to loans and other forms of credit to finance their
investments. Banks play a crucial role in providing credit, and their willingness to lend depends on
factors like the overall health of the economy and the creditworthiness of the borrower.
• Government Policies: Government policies can significantly impact investment decisions. Tax breaks,
subsidies, and infrastructure spending can stimulate investment. Conversely, regulations and
uncertainty about future policies can create a hesitant investment climate.
• Political Stability: Businesses are more likely to invest in countries with stable political environments
and clear property rights. Political instability and uncertainty can deter investment.
• Availability of Skilled Labor: A skilled and educated workforce is crucial for many investment projects.
Businesses are more likely to invest in areas with a readily available pool of qualified workers.
• Technological Advancements: New technologies can create new investment opportunities and
improve the efficiency of existing businesses. This can incentivize investment in research and
development and the adoption of new technologies.
Understanding these determinants allows policymakers to create an environment that encourages investment.
By fostering a climate of low interest rates, stable economic growth, and a skilled workforce, policymakers can
encourage businesses to invest, which can lead to economic growth, job creation, and improved living
standards.
Additional Notes:
• Public and private investment can sometimes complement each other. For example, government
investment in infrastructure can create a more attractive environment for private businesses to invest.
• There can also be a crowding-out effect, where high levels of government borrowing can crowd out
private investment by driving up interest rates.
22. Explain the concept of Investment Multiplier. Also explain It's Working. Discuss the
relationship between Investment Multiplier and MPC using suitable example.
The investment multiplier is a key concept in Keynesian economics that explains how an initial investment can
have a magnified impact on the overall level of economic activity (GDP) in a country. It highlights a ripple effect,
where an increase in investment leads to a more than proportional increase in GDP. The multiplier effect is
captured by the following formula:
Multiplier = ΔY / ΔI
where:
• Multiplier: Represents the number by which the initial investment (ΔI) is multiplied to get the total
impact on GDP (ΔY).
• ΔY / ΔI: Represents the marginal propensity to consume (MPC), the portion of each additional rupee of
income that people spend on consumption. In other words, the multiplier is equal to the reciprocal of
one minus the MPC (1 / (1 - MPC)).
This formula considers the impact of government spending financed by borrowing or deficit spending.
Government Spending Multiplier = 1 / (1 - MPC)
How it Works:
1. Initial Investment: Imagine a company decides to invest ₹100 crore in building a new factory.
2. Direct Impact: This investment creates jobs for construction workers, machine operators, and other
personnel involved in the project. These workers receive income in the form of wages and salaries.
3. Increased Consumption: The newly employed workers will spend a portion of their income on goods
and services like food, rent, clothes, etc. This increased consumption creates demand for these
products and services.
4. Multiplier Effect: Businesses that benefit from this increased demand might need to hire more
workers, further increasing income and consumption in the economy. This creates a chain reaction
where each round of spending has a multiplied effect on overall economic activity.
The strength of the investment multiplier depends on the marginal propensity to consume (MPC), which is
the portion of each additional rupee of income that people spend on consumption.
• Higher MPC: If the MPC is high (people spend a larger portion of their additional income), each round
of increased income will lead to a larger increase in consumption in the next round. This strengthens
the multiplier effect and leads to a larger overall impact on GDP.
• Lower MPC: If the MPC is low (people save a larger portion of their additional income), the multiplier
effect will be weaker. There will be a smaller increase in consumption in each round, resulting in a
smaller overall impact on GDP.
Example:
Key Takeaways:
• The investment multiplier highlights how an initial investment can have a magnified impact on the
economy.
• The strength of the multiplier depends on the MPC. A higher MPC leads to a stronger multiplier effect.
• The investment multiplier is a simplified model, and other factors can also influence economic growth.
By understanding the investment multiplier, policymakers can create strategies to encourage investment,
potentially leading to economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards.
23. Discuss the Leakage that occurs while the Process of Multiplier.
The investment multiplier explains how an initial investment can have a magnified impact on the economy's
total output (GDP). However, this process isn't perfectly efficient. There are leakages that siphon off some of
the additional income generated, weakening the multiplier effect. Here's a breakdown of these leakages:
1. Saving (MPS):
People don't spend all their additional income. A portion is saved (MPS = Marginal Propensity to Save). This
saved money isn't immediately spent back into the economy, reducing the multiplier effect.
2. Imports:
When people spend their additional income, some of it might go towards imported goods and services. This
money leaves the domestic economy, dampening the multiplier effect as it doesn't circulate domestically to
create further demand.
3. Taxes:
Government taxes on income and spending reduce the amount of money available for consumption and
investment. This reduces the multiplier effect as there's less money circulating in the economy to fuel further
spending rounds.
4. Debt Repayment:
If people or businesses use their additional income to repay existing debt, it reduces the amount available for
new spending. This weakens the multiplier effect as there's less money circulating to create additional
demand.
5. Inflation:
Prices rise, reducing purchasing power and creating uncertainty.
Causes: Increased money supply, high demand, or rising business costs.
6. Undistributed Profit:
Profits kept by companies for investment or other uses.
Impacts: Investment, shareholder value, and income inequality.
Inflation connection: Companies might retain profits to hedge against inflation or invest to increase supply
and moderate inflation.
Impact of Leakages:
• Higher Leakages, Weaker Multiplier: The more significant these leakages are, the weaker the
multiplier effect will be. A larger portion of the initial investment leaks out of the spending cycle, leading
to a smaller overall impact on GDP.
• Policy Implications: Understanding leakages helps policymakers develop strategies to minimize them
and strengthen the multiplier effect. For instance, policies that encourage investment, reduce taxes, or
promote exports can help keep money circulating within the domestic economy.
Aggregate Demand (AD) refers to the total quantity of final goods and services demanded at different price
levels within an economy at a given point in time. It essentially shows the relationship between the overall
price level and the total amount of spending in the economy.
There are two main approaches to understanding how the AD curve is derived:
1. IS-LM model: This economic model focuses on the interaction between the Investment-Savings (IS)
curve and the Liquidity Preference (LM) curve. At the intersection of these two curves, the interest
rate, and the level of output (GDP) are determined simultaneously. This level of output can then be
plotted against the prevailing price level to represent a point on the AD curve. By repeating this process
for different price levels, we can trace out the entire AD curve.
2. Components Approach: This approach directly considers the four main components of aggregate
demand:
o Consumption (C): Represents household spending on goods and services.
o Investment (I): Represents business spending on new capital goods and inventories.
o Government Spending (G): Represents government expenditure on goods and services.
o Net Exports (NX): Represents the difference between a country's exports and imports. (Exports
+ / - Imports)
The AD curve is derived by assuming a fixed nominal money supply. As the price level (P) increases:
• Real money balances (purchasing power of money) decrease. This can lead to:
o Higher interest rates: Central banks might raise interest rates to combat inflation, or interest
rates could rise due to decreased demand for loans as businesses have less cash on hand.
o Lower consumption: People have less purchasing power, so they tend to spend less.
o Lower investment: Businesses might invest less due to higher interest rates or because they
anticipate lower consumer demand.
• Net exports might change:
o Higher domestic price level: This can make a country's exports relatively cheaper and imports
more expensive, potentially leading to an increase in net exports (NX).
As the price level increases, the overall quantity of goods and services demanded decreases, resulting in a
downward-sloping AD curve.
While the AD curve typically slopes downward, its position can shift due to changes in various factors that
affect aggregate demand:
• Changes in Money Supply: An increase in money supply generally leads to a rightward shift of the AD
curve, indicating higher aggregate demand at all price levels. Conversely, a decrease in money supply
would shift the curve leftward.
• Changes in Fiscal Policy: Increased government spending or tax cuts can stimulate consumption and
investment, leading to a rightward shift of the AD curve. Conversely, decreased government spending
or tax increases can have the opposite effect.
• Changes in Consumer Confidence: Increased consumer confidence can lead to higher consumption
spending, shifting the AD curve rightward. Conversely, decreased confidence can lead to lower
spending and a leftward shift.
• Changes in Business Confidence: Increased business confidence can lead to higher investment
spending, shifting the AD curve rightward. Conversely, decreased confidence can lead to lower
investment and a leftward shift.
• Changes in Exchange Rates: A depreciation (weakening) of a country's currency can make its exports
cheaper and imports more expensive, leading to a rightward shift of the AD curve (assuming other
factors remain constant). Conversely, an appreciation (strengthening) of the currency can have the
opposite effect.
25. Explain how the Equilibrium level of Income is Determined in Two Sector Economy using
AD=AS approach and S=I approach.
This approach views the economy from the perspective of demand and supply. It assumes a fixed price level
in the short run.
• Aggregate Demand (AD): Represents the total spending in the economy, consisting of consumption
(C) and investment (I). As income rises, people tend to consume more (C↑), but the impact on
investment (I) can be ambiguous.
• Aggregate Supply (AS): Represents the total output of goods and services produced in the economy. In
the short run, it's assumed to be relatively fixed.
Equilibrium: The equilibrium level of income is reached at the point where aggregate demand (AD) equals
aggregate supply (AS). This intersection point on a graph depicts the level of income where the total amount of
goods and services demanded by consumers and businesses is equal to the total amount produced by firms.
• Saving (S): Represents the portion of income that households don't spend on consumption. As income
increases, saving generally increases as well (S↑).
• Investment (I): Represents business spending on new capital goods and inventories. Investment
decisions are influenced by factors like interest rates and expected future profits.
Equilibrium: The equilibrium level of income is reached at the point where saving (S) equals investment (I). At
this point, there is no net change in business inventories. Firms are producing exactly what is being consumed
and saved.
While these approaches seem distinct, they are ultimately connected. In a closed economy (no net exports),
saving (S) equals investment (I) because any income not spent is saved and becomes available for businesses
to invest. This saved money ultimately translates into consumption spending in the future.
AD = AS Approach:
1. Plot the AD curve (downward sloping) and the AS curve (horizontal line in the short run) on a graph with
income on the x-axis and price level on the y-axis.
2. The equilibrium point is where the two curves intersect.
S = I Approach:
1. Plot the saving (S) function (increasing with income) and the investment (I) function (which can be
constant or vary depending on the model) on a graph with income on the x-axis.
2. The equilibrium point is where the two curves intersect.
Additional Notes:
• The AD-AS approach is more widely used for macroeconomic analysis, particularly when considering
the effects of government policies like changes in money supply or fiscal policy.
• The S-I approach helps highlight the role of saving and investment in driving economic growth in the
long run.
26. What is meant by Aggregate Demand Shock and also Aggregate Supply Shock? Explain
the consequences of Expansionary and Contraction.
An AD shock is an event or policy change that unexpectedly shifts the entire aggregate demand curve (AD).
This means there's a change in the total amount of goods and services demanded at all price levels.
Causes of AD Shocks:
• Changes in Government Spending: Increased government spending can shift the AD curve rightward,
leading to higher aggregate demand. Conversely, decreased government spending can shift the AD
curve leftward.
• Changes in Taxes: Tax cuts can increase disposable income and consumer spending, shifting the AD
curve rightward. Conversely, tax increases can have the opposite effect.
• Changes in Consumer Confidence: Increased consumer confidence can lead to higher consumption
spending, shifting the AD curve rightward. Conversely, decreased confidence can lead to lower
spending and a leftward shift.
• Changes in Investment Spending: Increased business confidence and expectations of future profits
can lead to higher investment spending, shifting the AD curve rightward. Conversely, decreased
confidence can lead to lower investment and a leftward shift.
• Changes in Money Supply: An increase in money supply can make it easier for people and businesses
to borrow and spend, potentially leading to a rightward shift of the AD curve. Conversely, a decrease in
money supply can have the opposite effect.
Consequences of AD Shocks:
• Expansive AD Shock:
o Shifts the AD curve rightward, leading to higher aggregate demand at all price levels.
o Can lead to economic growth and potentially inflation if the supply side cannot adjust quickly
enough.
• Contractionary AD Shock:
o Shifts the AD curve leftward, leading to lower aggregate demand at all price levels.
o Can lead to economic slowdown or recession and potentially deflation if the supply side
adjusts more quickly than demand.
Causes of AS Shocks:
• Changes in Resource Prices: An increase in the price of raw materials, energy, or labour can lead to
higher production costs for businesses, shifting the AS curve upward (leftward). Conversely, a
decrease in resource prices can shift the AS curve downward (rightward).
• Natural Disasters: Events like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes can damage production facilities
and disrupt supply chains, leading to a leftward shift of the AS curve.
• Technological Advancements: New technologies can increase production efficiency and lower costs,
shifting the AS curve downward (rightward).
• Changes in Government Regulations: New regulations, for example on environmental protection, can
increase production costs and shift the AS curve upward (leftward). Conversely, deregulation can have
the opposite effect.
Consequences of AS Shocks:
• Positive AS Shock:
o Shifts the AS curve downward (rightward), increasing the quantity of goods and services
supplied at all price levels.
o Can lead to lower prices and economic growth if demand remains stable.
o In rare cases, a positive AS shock coupled with strong aggregate demand can lead to a situation
called stagflation. Stagflation is characterized by economic stagnation (slow or no growth) and
inflation (rising prices) happening at the same time. This can occur if the increase in supply is
not enough to fully meet the existing demand, leading to some upward pressure on prices
despite the overall economic slowdown.
• Negative AS Shock:
o Shifts the AS curve upward (leftward), decreasing the quantity of goods and services supplied
at all price levels.
o Can lead to higher prices (stagflation) or shortages if demand remains high.
The combined effects of AD and AS shocks determine the overall impact on the economy in terms of output
(GDP) and price level (inflation). Policymakers aim to use tools like fiscal policy (government spending and
taxes) and monetary policy (money supply and interest rates) to manage AD and mitigate the negative
consequences of both types of shocks.
27. Show with the help of diagrams that aggregate demand shocks cause the price level and
real GDP to change in the same direction while aggregate supply shocks cause the price
level and real GDP to change in opposite directions.
An AD shock shifts the entire aggregate demand curve (AD), causing changes in both price level and real GDP
in the same direction.
Expansive AD Shock:
• The AD curve shifts rightward (AD1 to AD2) due to factors like increased government spending or
consumer confidence.
• This leads to an increase in both real GDP (Y1 to Y2) and price level (P1 to P2)
Explanation:
• Higher demand (AD2) encourages businesses to produce more (Y2), leading to economic growth
(higher real GDP).
• However, the increased demand puts pressure on prices, causing them to rise from P1 to P2.
Contractionary AD Shock:
• The AD curve shifts leftward (AD2 to AD1) due to factors like decreased government spending or
consumer confidence.
• This leads to a decrease in both real GDP (Y2 to Y1) and price level (P2 to P1).
Explanation:
• Lower demand (AD1) discourages businesses from producing as much (Y1), leading to a decline in
economic activity (lower real GDP).
• The reduced demand also puts downward pressure on prices, causing them to fall from P2 to P1.
An AS shock shifts the entire aggregate supply curve (AS), causing changes in price level and real GDP in
opposite directions.
Positive AS Shock:
• The AS curve shifts downward (AS1 to AS2) due to factors like technological advancements or lower
resource prices.
• This leads to an increase in real GDP (Y1 to Y2) and a decrease in price level (P1 to P2).
Explanation:
• Lower production costs (due to the AS shift) allow businesses to produce more (Y2) at the same price
level (P1), leading to economic growth (higher real GDP).
• Additionally, the increased supply of goods and services puts downward pressure on prices, causing
them to fall from P1 to P2.
Negative AS Shock:
• The AS curve shifts upward (AS1 to AS2) due to factors like natural disasters or higher resource prices.
• This leads to a decrease in real GDP (Y1 to Y2) and an increase in price level (P1 to P2).
Explanation:
• Higher production costs (due to the AS shift) force businesses to either produce less (Y2) or raise prices
(P2) to maintain profits. This can lead to economic slowdown (lower real GDP) and inflation (higher
price level).
Key Takeaways:
• AD shocks influence both real GDP and price level in the same direction.
• AS shocks influence real GDP and price level in opposite directions.
• Understanding these effects helps analyse economic situations and potential policy responses.
28. Distinguish between the short-run aggregate supply curve and long-run aggregate supply
curve.
29. Discuss the effect of inflationary and recessionary gap on real GDP and price level in the
long run.
• Represents the current value of all final goods and services produced in an economy within a specific
period (usually a year).
• It reflects the economy's current level of production based on factors like:
o Consumer demand
o Business investment
o Government spending
o Resource availability
o Technology
• Represents the maximum sustainable output an economy can produce at full employment with the
current state of technology and resources.
• It reflects the economy's long-run production capacity when all available resources are efficiently
employed.
• It's also known as the natural rate of output.
• It reflects the economy's potential level of production based on factors like:
o Current state of technology resources, full employment
The difference between actual real GDP (Y) and potential real GDP (Yp) helps identify two crucial concepts:
1. Inflationary Gap:
• Exists when actual real GDP (Y) is higher than potential real GDP (Yp).
• This signifies the economy is producing beyond its long-run capacity.
• Short-Run Effects:
o May lead to higher economic growth in the short run due to increased production.
o However, it often results in inflation as demand outstrips supply, pushing prices higher.
• Long-Run Adjustments:
o Unsustainable in the long run due to factors like:
▪ Rising wages and input costs: As prices climb, workers demand higher wages to
maintain their purchasing power. Businesses face higher costs for resources.
▪ Profit margin squeeze: Rising costs can erode profit margins for businesses.
▪ Production reduction: To maintain profitability, businesses may eventually reduce
production, bringing real GDP closer to its potential level.
o Price level adjustment: If the inflationary gap persists, rising costs and wages can lead to a
sustained increase in the overall price level (inflationary trend).
2. Recessionary Gap:
• Exists when actual real GDP (Y) is lower than potential real GDP (Yp).
• This signifies the economy is operating below its long-run capacity.
• Short-Run Effects:
o Leads to lower economic growth or even recession due to reduced production.
o May result in deflation or stagnant prices as low demand puts downward pressure on prices.
o Can lead to higher unemployment as businesses may lay off workers due to lower demand.
• Long-Run Adjustments:
o Long-run forces may push the economy back to its potential:
▪ Wage and price adjustments: Lower demand and unemployment can lead to
downward adjustments in wages and prices as businesses compete for customers.
▪ Increased investment: Lower interest rates and potentially lower wages can
incentivize businesses to invest in new technologies or expansion, increasing
production capacity.
▪ Output expansion: With lower costs and potentially increasing demand, businesses
may increase production, leading real GDP closer to its potential level.
Impact on Real Short run: Potentially high economic Short run: Lower economic growth or
GDP growth (initially). recession.
Long-run: Unsustainable; real GDP may Long-run: May self-correct through
decrease due to rising costs and investment and production expansion.
production adjustments.
Impact on Prices Rising: Demand outstrips supply, leading Falling or stagnant: Weak demand leads to
to increased prices. price reductions or price stagnation.
Long-Run Rising wages and input costs, profit margin Wage and price adjustments (downward),
Adjustments squeeze, production reduction. increased investment, output expansion.
Policy Response Contractionary monetary and fiscal Expansionary monetary and fiscal policy:
policy: Aims to slow down the economy Aims to stimulate economic activity (e.g.,
(e.g., raising interest rates, reducing lowering interest rates, increasing
government spending). government spending).
Impact on Discouraged by rising costs and Encouraged by lower interest rates and
Investment uncertainty about the future. potential for increased sales due to lower
prices.
Impact on May stay low initially, then potentially rise High and rising due to weak demand.
Unemployment with persistent inflation.
The Short-Run Aggregate Supply (SRAS) curve depicts the relationship between the price level and the quantity
of goods and services supplied by firms in the economy, considering a limited time horizon (typically a few
quarters or up to two years). In this short run, factors like production capacity, technology, and wages are
relatively fixed.
• Limited Flexibility: Businesses have limited ability to adjust production in response to price level
changes due to existing contracts, fixed capacity, and time lags in hiring/training.
• Relatively Flat Curve: The SRAS curve is often depicted as a relatively horizontal line in the short run,
reflecting this limited responsiveness.
• Price Level Impact: Changes in price level have a limited impact on the quantity of goods and
services supplied in the short run.
• Shifts: The SRAS curve can shift due to changes in input costs (e.g., wages, raw materials) or changes
in productivity.
The Long-Run Aggregate Supply (LRAS) curve depicts the relationship between the price level and the quantity
of goods and services supplied by firms in the economy, considering a longer time horizon (several years or
even the long term). In this long run, production capacity, technology, and wages can be adjusted in response
to economic conditions.
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34. What are the Tools for Fiscal Policy? How are the tool used to fill the Inflationary and
Deflationary Gap? What are the limitations of it?
Fiscal policy uses government spending and taxation to influence the economy. Here's a breakdown of the
tools and their application in inflationary and deflationary gaps:
• Government Spending: Increased government spending injects money into the economy, stimulating
aggregate demand (AD). Conversely, decreased spending reduces demand.
• Taxation: Lowering taxes increases disposable income for consumers and businesses, potentially
leading to higher spending and investment. Conversely, raising taxes reduces disposable income and
can dampen demand.
• Goal: Reduce aggregate demand (AD) to bring it closer to potential output (Yp) and curb inflation.
• Tools:
o Decreased Government Spending: Reducing government spending removes money from the
economy, dampening demand-side pressures.
o Increased Taxes: Raising taxes reduces disposable income, leading to lower consumption and
investment, thereby reducing demand.
• Goal: Increase aggregate demand (AD) to bring it closer to potential output (Yp) and stimulate
economic growth.
• Tools:
o Increased Government Spending: Expanding government spending injects money into the
economy, boosting demand and production.
o Decreased Taxes: Lowering taxes increases disposable income, leading to higher
consumption and investment, thereby increasing demand.
• Time Lags: The effects of fiscal policy changes may take time to be felt throughout the economy,
potentially leading to delayed responses to economic imbalances.
• Crowding Out: Increased government borrowing to finance spending can crowd out private
investment, potentially offsetting some of the stimulative effects.
• Political Gridlock: Implementing fiscal policy changes often requires legislative approval, which can
be slow and subject to political disagreements.
• Uncertainty: Businesses and consumers may react cautiously to fiscal policy changes, making the
overall impact less predictable.
Fiscal policy refers to the government's use of spending and taxation to influence the economy. It's a tool for
managing economic activity, inflation, and unemployment. Here's a breakdown of its core aspects:
Objectives:
• Promote economic growth: By stimulating aggregate demand (AD) through increased spending or tax
cuts.
• Maintain price stability: By managing inflation through adjustments to spending and taxes.
• Achieve full employment: By promoting policies that encourage job creation and reduce
unemployment.
• Redistribute income: By using tax and spending policies to transfer resources from wealthier
segments to poorer segments of society.
• Time Lags: There can be significant delays between implementing a fiscal policy change and its full
impact on the economy.
• Crowding Out Effect: Increased government borrowing to finance spending can crowd out private
investment, potentially offsetting some of the stimulative effects. This happens because government
borrowing competes with businesses for loanable funds, potentially driving up interest rates.
• Political Gridlock: Implementing fiscal policy changes often requires legislative approval, which can
be slow and subject to political disagreements.
• Uncertainty: Businesses and consumers may react cautiously to fiscal policy changes, making the
overall impact less predictable.
In a three-sector economy, income is determined by the interaction between households, firms, and the
government. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:
Sectors:
• Households: Consume goods and services, save a portion of their income, and earn income by
supplying labour and other factors of production.
• Firms: Produce goods and services, invest in capital and technology, and hire factors of production
from households.
• Government: Provides public goods and services, collects taxes, and can influence spending to
manage the economy.
Approaches to Income Determination:
• Consumption: Consumer spending habits and disposable income levels significantly impact overall
demand.
• Investment: Business decisions about investment, influenced by factors like interest rates and
profitability, affect total demand.
• Government Spending: The level of government spending directly affects aggregate demand.
• Taxes: Tax rates influence disposable income and therefore consumption spending.
Numerical Part
Checkable deposits, also commonly referred to as checking accounts or demand deposits, are a type of bank
account that allows you to easily access your money on demand. They offer a high degree of liquidity, meaning
you can readily withdraw funds through various methods like:
• Checks: Writing checks payable to a third party allows them to withdraw the funds from your account.
(Though check usage has declined significantly in recent years)
• Debit cards: Directly linked to your checking account, debit cards deduct the purchase amount from
your balance when you use them to make payments.
• ATM withdrawals: You can withdraw cash from ATMs using your debit card and PIN.
• Online banking transfers: You can initiate electronic transfers from your checking account to other
accounts.
• Standard checking accounts: Ideal for everyday transactions and bill payments.
• Interest-bearing checking accounts: Offer a small amount of interest on your account balance, but
may have higher minimum balance requirements or transaction limitations.
• Online checking accounts: Managed entirely online, often with lower fees or features like mobile
banking integration.
A liquidity trap is a challenging economic situation where interest rates are already very low, and further
reductions by the central bank fail to stimulate borrowing and economic growth. In simpler terms, even though
interest rates are extremely low, businesses and consumers are hesitant to borrow money, and the economy
remains stagnant.
Key Characteristics:
• Low Interest Rates: Central banks typically use monetary policy to influence the economy by adjusting
interest rates. In a liquidity trap, interest rates are already at or near zero, limiting the central bank's
ability to stimulate borrowing through further rate cuts.
• Low Investment: Businesses are reluctant to borrow and invest due to various factors like weak
economic outlook, high debt levels, or uncertainty about the future.
• Low Demand: With businesses hesitant to invest, and consumers cautious about spending, overall
demand for goods and services remains low, hindering economic growth.
• Deflation Risk: In a liquidity trap, there's a risk of deflation, where prices for goods and services start to
fall. This can discourage spending further as consumers wait for even lower prices in the future.
• Debt Burdens: High levels of debt held by businesses and households can make them less likely to
take on additional debt, even with low interest rates.
• Economic Uncertainty: If businesses and consumers are unsure about the future economic outlook,
they may be hesitant to invest or spend, leading to a stagnant economy.
• Deflationary Expectations: If consumers expect prices to fall in the future, they might delay
purchases, further weakening demand.
• Limited Monetary Policy Options: With interest rates already very low, central banks have fewer tools
to stimulate borrowing.
• Fiscal Policy Constraints: Governments may have limited fiscal space to increase spending or
decrease taxes, which could otherwise boost demand.
Potential Solutions:
• Quantitative Easing: Central banks can purchase government bonds and other assets to inject money
directly into the financial system, potentially stimulating lending and investment.
• Fiscal Stimulus: Governments can increase spending on infrastructure projects or social programs to
boost aggregate demand.
• Structural Reforms: Reforms that promote competition, innovation, and productivity growth can
improve the long-term economic outlook, encouraging investment and spending.
39. Explain and show the effect of change in tax rate on the equilibrium level of Income in
three sectors of economy.
In a three-sector economy (households, firms, and government), the equilibrium level of income is the point
where aggregate demand (AD) equals aggregate supply (AS). Let's explore how changes in tax rates can
affect this equilibrium level.
X-axis: Represents real GDP (Y) Y-axis: Represents price level (P)
• AD Curve: Slopes downward, reflecting that higher income levels lead to higher aggregate demand.
• AS Curve: May be upward sloping in the short run (due to production limitations) and vertical in the
long run (at potential output).
• The AD curve shifts rightward due to the increase in consumption spending (C) and potentially higher
investment (I).
• The new equilibrium point reflects a higher level of income (Y) and potentially a higher price level (P)
depending on the slope of the AS curve.
• The AD curve shifts leftward due to the decrease in consumption spending (C).
• The new equilibrium point reflects a lower level of income (Y) and potentially a lower price level (P)
depending on the slope of the AS curve.
Important Notes:
• The actual impact of tax rate changes on the economy can be complex and depend on various factors
like the size of the tax change, the marginal propensity to consume (MPC) of households, and the
responsiveness of investment to changes in demand.
• This explanation focuses on the demand-side effects of tax changes. In reality, there may also be
supply-side effects like changes in labour supply behaviour due to tax changes.