The polluter pays principle (PPP) is a basic economic idea that firms or consumers should pay for the cost of the negative externality they create. The polluter pays principle usually refers to environmental costs, but it could be extended to any external cost. In a purely free market, you would only face your private costs. …
The Neo-classical synthesis (also referred to as the neo-Keynesian theory) refers to the post-war macroeconomic development which combined elements of Keynesian macroeconomics with more classical microeconomic theory. (This is not relevant for A-Level economics, you may be relieved to know) Up until the 1930s, economics had been dominated by classical economists who argued that markets …
RPI, CPI and RPIX are three different measures for calculating inflation. To summarise CPI = headline rate (excludes mortgage interest payments, housing costs) RPI = Retail Price Index. Includes mortgage payments. Source: ONS In 2009, the UK saw a cut in interest rates, and therefore, a fall in mortgage repayments. This caused RPI to become …
Readers Question Q) evaluate the view that ‘trade-offs will be required over the period of the cycle’? In the economic cycle, there is often a trade-offs between different macroeconomic objectives. The main macroeconomic objectives include: Low inflation Higher economic growth Low unemployment Low current account deficit Low government borrowing Stable exchange rate. For example, if the …
Barack Obama served as President from Jan 2009 – Jan 2017. When Obama came to office in Jan 2009, the US economy was in a deep recession, with falling real GDP, high unemployment and rising levels of government borrowing. As President, Obama oversaw a moderate fiscal expansion which helped to promote economic recovery and falling …
One of the most popular topics on this blog is government debt. UK National debt and list of countries sovereign debt. To many people the sums involved are so large, there seems something instinctively wrong, even dangerous, about allowing the government to borrow so much. As Mrs Thatcher said, she was brought up a grocer’s …
Expansionary monetary policy aims to increase aggregate demand and economic growth in the economy. Expansionary monetary policy involves cutting interest rates or increasing the money supply to boost economic activity. It could also be termed a ‘loosening of monetary policy’. It is the opposite of ‘tight’ monetary policy. When to pursue expansionary monetary policy The …
Definition of ‘Trade not aid’ This is the economic idea that the best way to promote economic development is through promoting free trade and not providing direct foreign aid. Logic of ‘Trade not Aid’ A culture of dependency. Foreign aid to developing economies is invariably wasteful and can create a culture of dependency. Also, recipients of …