Fiscal stance

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Definition: The fiscal stance of a government refers to how its level of spending and taxation impact on aggregate demand and economic growth. Higher taxes and a budget surplus is seen as fiscal consolidation or deflationary stance. A budget deficit has an expansionary impact. A fiscal stance can be expansionary, neutral or deflationary. Expansionary stance: …

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Sustainable growth

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Sustainable economic growth implies that the growth rate can be maintained over the long term. Sustainable growth involves both Environmentally sustainable growth – e.g. not exploiting scarce resources. Sustainable growth in terms of low inflation and a balanced economy. Sustainable economic growth The long-run trend rate of economic growth is the rate of economic growth …

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Pros and cons of capital controls

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Capital controls are government measures to limit the flow of financial capital and financial assets. Capital controls include limits on foreign currency exchange, limits on the purchase of assets and taxes on financial transfers. Some economists argue that capital controls can help limit destabilising capital flows which cause banking crisis and economic booms and busts. …

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How much will a deep recession affect food prices?

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Food prices are typically fairly stable in a recession. If the recession is very deep and it leads to a period of deflation (fall in the general price level) then food prices may fall by a similar amount. US Deflation 1929-33 For example, in the great depression (1929-33), we saw a prolonged fall in prices. …

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Policy trilemma – the impossible trinity

policy-trilemma

The policy trilemma refers to the trade-offs a government faces when deciding international monetary policy. In particular, the policy trilemma contends that it is not possible to have all three objectives at the same time, but has to choose two from the following three options: Free movement of capital Independent (autonomous) monetary policy Fixed (managed) …

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How to reduce value of a currency

Sometimes governments may wish to reduce the value of their currency. A depreciation in the value of a currency would make exports cheaper, imports more expensive and can provide a boost to domestic demand. If the economy is stuck in recession or unemployment rising, reducing the value of a currency can help increase economic growth …

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Economic Depression – Definition

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There is no absolutely agreed definition to a depression. But I would define a depression as  A deep and long-lasting period of negative economic growth, with output falling for at least 12 months and GDP falling by over 10%. A depression means the economy experiences a significant fall in output, higher unemployment and disruption to …

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Wealth multiplier effect

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The multiplier effect occurs when an initial injection into the circular flow causes a bigger final increase in output. For example, an increase in government spending of £1 billion leading to an increase in national output of £1.5 billion. (giving multiplier effect of 1.5) The wealth multiplier effect refers to how the ownership of wealth …

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