Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Principles of
Economics
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Introduction
This course has introduced you to the tools
economists use to analyze the behavior of the
economy as a whole and the impact of policies
on the economy.
This final chapter presents both sides in six
classic debates over macroeconomic policy.
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1. Should Policymakers Try to Stabilize the
Economy?
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1. Should Policymakers Try to Stabilize the Economy?
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ACTIVE LEARNING 1
Active stabilization policy
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ACTIVE LEARNING 1
Answers
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2. Should the Government Fight Recessions with Spending
Hikes or Tax Cuts?
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2. Should the Government Fight Recessions with Spending
Hikes or Tax Cuts?
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3. Should Monetary Policy Be Made by Rule or
Discretion?
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4. Should the Central Bank Aim for
Zero Inflation?
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4. Should the Central Bank Aim for
Zero Inflation?
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4. Should the Central Bank Aim for
Zero Inflation?
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ACTIVE LEARNING 2
Answers
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5. Should the Government Balance
Its Budget?
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6. Should the Tax Laws Be Reformed to
Encourage Saving?
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ACTIVE LEARNING 3
Answers
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CONCLUSION
Economics teaches us “there’s no such thing as a
free lunch.” There are few easy answers and
many unresolved questions.
Crafting the best policy requires knowing the pros
and cons of every alternative.
Being an informed voter requires the ability to
evaluate the candidates’ policy proposals.
Knowing the principles of economics helps in
these endeavors.
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Summary
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Summary
• Advocates of zero inflation argue that inflation has
many costs and no benefits. The costs of achieving
zero inflation are temporary, while the benefits are
permanent. Critics claim that the costs of low inflation
are small, whereas the recession necessary to
reduce inflation is quite costly.
• Advocates of balancing the budget note that deficits
burden future generations by raising their taxes and
lowering their incomes. Critics argue that the deficit
is only one part of fiscal policy and should be
considered in a broader context.
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Summary
• Advocates of reforming the tax laws to encourage
saving note that current tax laws discourage
saving. Higher saving would increase investment,
productivity growth, and future living standards.
Critics argue that such reforms would mainly
benefit the wealthy, and that such changes may
have only a small effect on saving. They feel that
reducing the budget deficit would be a more
effective and more equitable way to increase
national saving.
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