Readers Question: what are the advantages and disadvantages of inflation? Inflation occurs when there is a sustained increase in the general price level. Traditionally high inflation rates are considered to be damaging to an economy. High inflation creates uncertainty and can wipe away the value of savings. However, most Central Banks target an inflation rate …
In the UK and US there is often a mistrust of the government’s inflation figures. People often feel that their cost of living is rising faster than official CPI statistics. In developing countries like Venezuela and Argentina, there is even greater mistrust as government’s have an incentive to modify inflation rates and have the power …
Readers Question: Is rise in prices a reflection of economic growth? A sustained rise in prices is known as inflation. A large rise in prices / higher inflation rate is often caused by economic growth. However, there are also occasions, when we can get inflation despite weak or negative economic growth. Inflation caused by economic …
Due to lack of space in the book, we have published full bibliography on this website. Bibliography Chapter 1 Is it OK to be selfish? Frank, R H (1988) Passions Within Reason: The Strategic Role of the Emotions, p. xi. New York: W W Norton & Co. Galbraith, J K (1982) “Recession economics”, The New …
A look at the extent to which policy makers face a trade off between unemployment and inflation. The Phillips curve suggests there is a trade off between inflation and unemployment, at least in the short term. Other economists are more sceptical.
Summary – If a country has a higher inflation rate than its competitors, then its good will be increasing in price at a faster rate and therefore, they will become relatively less competitive. It will experience less demand for its exports and therefore less demand for its currency. This will tend to cause a depreciation …
Firms generally prefer inflation to be low and stable. If inflation rises above 3 or 4%, firms may see a rise in costs and uncertainty. Inflation can also cause firms problems of rising costs, falling profitability, and a decline in international competitiveness. However, inflation is not necessarily damaging for a firm – especially, if they …
Long-term economic forecasting can be very difficult. A well known joke by John Kenneth Galbraith is: “The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” However, although there is some truth in this wisecrack, in the short term, we can be reasonably confident about predictions for inflation. In particular, if we see …