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AP Macroeconomics Unit 3 Flashcards

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8801193725AggregateSum total; a collection of separate things mixed together.0
8801193726Aggregate Demand (AD)A schedule or curve that shows the total quantity demanded for all goods and services of a nation at various price levels in a given period of time. AD is downward sloping.1
8801193727Aggregate SupplyThe total amount of goods and services that all firms in all the industries in a country will produce at various price levels in a given period of time. Short Run Aggregate Supply is upward sloping. (SRAS)2
8801193728Automatic StabilizersBuilt-in mechanisms in the tax code and transfer payment programs that increase government spending and reduce tax revenue automatically when aggregate demand decreases. They reduce government spending and collect more in tax revenues when aggregate demand increases.3
8801193729Transfer PaymentA payment made when no good or service is exchanged. Allowances are private transfer payments; social security checks are governmental transfer payments. Transfer payments are NOT included in GDP because they do NOT represent production.4
8801193730Budget DeficitWhen a government spends more than it collects in tax revenues in a given year. The USA typically runs a budget deficit each year. G > T5
8801193731Budget SurplusWhen a government collects more in tax revenues than it spends in a given year. T > G6
8801193732Classical Economic TheoryThe view that an economy will self-correct from periods of economic shock if left alone. Also known as "laissez-faire" and derived from the thinking of Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, and David Ricardo. Neoclassical theories are up-to-date versions of similar belief systems. Key idea that price levels and wages are fully flexible both upwards and downwards.7
8801193733Contractionary Fiscal PolicyA demand-side (AD) policy whereby government increases taxes or decreases its expenditures in order to reduce aggregate demand. Could be used in a period of high demand-pull inflation to bring down the inflation rate. T up and/or G down8
8801193734Cost-push inflationInflation resulting from a decrease in AS (from higher wage rates and raw material prices, such as the price of oil) and accompanied by a decrease in real output (real GDP) and decreases in employment. Also referred to as "stagflation" or "adverse/negative aggregate supply shock." AS decreases. The USA had cost-push inflation during the 1970's and early 1980's.9
8801193735Crowding-out EffectThe rise in interest rates and the resulting decrease in investment spending (I) in the economy caused by increased government borrowing in the loanable funds market. This occurs because of budget deficits, so the government must borrow money, which drives up real interest rates. The crowding-out effect is seen as a disadvantageous side effect of expansionary fiscal policy.10
8801193736Demand-Pull InflationInflation resulting from an increase in aggregate demand without a corresponding increase in aggregate supply. AD is increasing.11
8801193738Disposable IncomeThe portion of income that an individual can choose to spend or save; after-tax income = take home pay. Disposable income is the main factor that drives both spending and savings decisions. DI = C + S. Where "C" is Consumption/Consumer Spending. "S" is savings.12
8801193739Economic GrowthAn increase in the potential output of goods and services in a nation over time. PPC is shifting outward or could also be depicted as Long Run Aggregate Supply (LRAS) curve shifting to the right.13
8801193740Exchange rateThe price of one currency in terms of another currency, determined in the FOREX market (foreign exchange market). 1 dollar = 2 Euros.14
8801193741Expansionary Fiscal PolicyA demand-side (AD) policy whereby government decreases taxes or increases its expenditures in order to increase aggregate demand. Could be used in a period of high unemployment (recession) to increase national output (real GDP). T down, G up so AD increases.15
8801193742Fiscal PolicyChanges in government spending (G) and tax collections (T) implemented by government with the aim of either increasing or decreasing aggregate demand to achieve the macroeconomic objectives of full employment and price-level stability.16
8801193743Inflationary GapThe difference between a nation's equilibrium level of output and its full employment level of output when the nation is overheating (producing beyond its full employment level).17
8801193744Inflationary spiralThe rapid increase in average price level result from demand-pull inflation leading to higher wages, causing cost-push inflation.18
8801193747Long Run Aggregate Supply (LRAS)The level of output to which an economy will always return in the long run. The LRAS curves intersects the horizontal axis at the full employment or potential level of output. "at the full-employment level of real GDP"19
8801193748Long RunThe period of time over which the wage rate and price level of inputs in a nation are flexible. In the long run, any changes in AD are cancelled out due to the flexibility of wages and prices and an economy will return to its full employment level of output. Sometimes referred to as the "flexible wage period."20
8801193749Short Run Aggregate Supply (SRAS)Positive relationship between the aggregate amount of GDP produced and the price level in an economy in the short run, when it is presumed that prices of goods are flexible but wage rates are fixed.21
8801193750Macroeconomic EquilibriumThe level of output at which a nation is producing at any particular period of time. May be below its full employment level (if the economy is in recession) or beyond its full employment level (if the economy is overheating). In the picture, short-run equilibrium is at P1 and Y122
8801193751Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC)The fraction of any change in income spent on domestically produced goods and services; equal to the change in consumption divided by the change in disposable income.23
8801193752Marginal Propensity to Save (MPS)The fraction of any change in income that is saved; equal to the change in savings divided by the change in disposable income.24
8801193766MPC + MPS = 1The fraction of an increase in disposable income that is spent (MPC) plus the fraction that is saved (MPS) must equal 1.25
8801193753Multiplier EffectThe increase in total spending in an economy resulting from an initial injection of new spending. The size of the multiplier effect depends upon the spending multiplier. An effect in economics in which an increase in spending produces an increase in national income and consumption greater than the initial amount spent.26
8801193754Spending multiplier= 1/(1-MPC) or 1/MPS. This tells you how much total spending an initial interjection of spending in the economy will generate. For example, if the MPC = .8 and the government spends $100 million, then the total increase in spending in the economy = $100 x 5 = $500 million.27
8801193757Recessionary GapThe difference between an economy's equilibrium level of output and its full employment level of output when an economy is below full-employment.28
8801193758Self-correctionThe idea that an economy producing at an equilibrium level of output that is below or above its full employment level will return on its own to it full employment level if left to its own devices. Requires fully flexible wages and prices and is associated with classical economic views.29
8801193759StagflationA macroeconomic situation in which both inflation and unemployment increase. Caused by a negative supply shock (i.e., Aggregate Supply decreases).30
8801193760Sticky wage and price modelThe short-run Aggregate-Supply Curve is sometimes referred to as the "sticky wage and price model," because workers' wage demands take time to adjust to changes in the overall price level, and therefore, in the short-run an economy may produce well below or beyond its full employment level of output.31
8801193761Supply ShockAnything that leads to a sudden, unexpected change in aggregate supply. Can be negative (decreases in AS) or positive (increases in AS). May include a change in energy prices, wages, or business taxes, or may result from a natural disaster or a new discovery of important resources.32
8801193762WealthAn important determinant of consumption. Wealth is the total value of a household's assets minus all its liabilities.33
8801193763Real Balances Effect = Wealth EffectOne of the reasons the aggregate demand curve slopes downward: The tendency for increases in price level to lower the real value (or purchasing power) of financial assets with fixed money value and, as a result, to reduce total spending and real output. The idea that any wealth that you may have in the form of a cushion or securities becomes less valuable as prices rises because higher prices reduce real spending power, prices and output are negatively related.34
8801193764Interest Rate Effectif the average price level rises, consumers and firms might need to borrow more money for spending and capital investment, which increases the interest rate and delays current consumption. Reduces current consumption of domestic products and the price level rises. One of the reasons why AD is downward sloping.35
8801193765Foreign Trade EffectWhen U.S. price level increases, foreign buyers purchase fewer U.S. goods and Americans buy more foreign goods. Exports fall and imports rise causing real GDP demanded to decrease. One of the reasons why AD is downward sloping.36
88011937672 Tools of Fiscal PolicyFederal Government engages in fiscal policy. Tool # 1 = Government Spending. Tool # 2 = Personal Income Taxes.37

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