Readers Question: what is the solution for stagflation? Stagflation occurs when there is an increase in inflation and also at the same time an increase in unemployment and lower economic growth. Typically stagflation will be caused by an increase in the cost of production which shifts the SRAS curve to the left. This could be …
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 …
Readers Question: Could you differentiate between micro economics and macro economics? Microeconomics is the study of particular markets, and segments of the economy. It looks at issues such as consumer behaviour, individual labour markets, and the theory of firms. Macro economics is the study of the whole economy. It looks at ‘aggregate’ variables, such as …
Deflation means a fall in prices (a negative inflation rate). Though policymakers should generally be concerned if there is an inflation rate less than the target of 2%. For example, in the Eurozone Jan 2015, the headline inflation rate is -0.2%. Even if we strip away volatile prices like oil, core inflation is 0.8%. …
Behavioural economics is a branch of economics that seeks to understand the motivations and reasons behind individual decisions. Rational choice In traditional economics, there is a very basic assumption that individuals are rational utility maximisers. i.e. firms seek to maximise profits; workers seek to maximise income and levels of consumption. (see – rational economic man) …
Readers Question: Hello can you please tell me what the disadvantages of using interest rates would be for the economy? Interest rates are used to try and achieve low inflation and stable, sustainable economic growth. However, interest rates are limited, they can’t always achieve all the governments’ macroeconomic objectives at once. Interest Rates and Inflation …
ex ante is Latin for before the event. ex ante means we look at future events based on possible predictions. ex post is Latin for after the event. ex post means we look at results and events after they have occurred. Example of ex ante and ex post There is an example of ex ante …
The economic trade cycle shows how economic growth can fluctuate within different phases, for example: Boom (which is a period of high economic growth possibly causing inflation) Peak (top of trade cycle, where growth rates may start to fall) Economic downturn/Recession ( where the growth rate falls and may become negative – leading to a fall in …