Fiscal Policy and Central Banking Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of fiscal policy?

  • Issuing physical money
  • Government expenditures and taxation (correct)
  • Controlling interest rates
  • Regulating the money supply

A central bank provides financial services directly to the public.

False (B)

What is relative poverty?

When people are unable to reach a specified level of income, typically 50% of their country's average earnings.

If government expenditure exceeds revenue, it results in a _____ deficit.

<p>budget</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following functions to the central bank:

<p>Determines the money supply = Conducts monetary policy Issues bonds = Regulates the banking system Lender of last resort = Makes loans to commercial banks Prints physical money = Facilitates government payments</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does a central bank play regarding commercial banks?

<p>It regulates and supervises their operations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Monetary policy involves the use of taxes to manage the economy.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify one responsibility of central banks in relation to the government.

<p>Holds government cash or receives payments for the government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of selling bonds on economic policy?

<p>Contractionary policy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Buying bonds leads to a contractionary policy.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to investment and consumption when the central bank raises its minimum reserve requirement?

<p>They decrease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Quantitative Easing involves the buying and selling of _____ on a larger scale.

<p>bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of government revenue?

<p>Transfer payments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following fiscal tools with their definitions:

<p>Direct taxation = Taxes levied directly on income or profits Sales taxes = Indirect tax applied to the purchase of goods and services Transfer payments = Payments made to individuals without goods or services received Capital expenditures = Long-term investments in physical assets</p> Signup and view all the answers

Current expenditures refer to long-term investments by the government.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the government raises interest rates through the base rate, it leads to _____ investment and consumption.

<p>decreased</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is economic inequality primarily concerned with?

<p>The distribution of income and wealth among individuals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Wealth inequality has decreased in many countries after a period of post-war decline.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the disparity between the rich and the poor?

<p>wealth gap</p> Signup and view all the answers

In capitalist systems, resources and wealth are concentrated in the hands of _____ owners.

<p>business</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts of economic inequality with their descriptions:

<p>Unequal distribution of income = Inequalities present in people's income in society Unequal distribution of wealth = Inequalities present in people's wealth in society Wealth concentration = Hinders social mobility due to lack of access to resources Social mobility = The ability to move up the economic ladder</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key question regarding inequality in society?

<p>What is the acceptable level of inequality before it becomes detrimental? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fairness in capitalist systems is often based on the standard of living of the highest-income earners.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can hinder social mobility in the context of wealth concentration?

<p>Lack of access to quality education and healthcare</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of unemployment is caused by a downturn in the business cycle?

<p>Cyclical Unemployment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Structural unemployment occurs when there is a mismatch between skills and job requirements.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one personal cost of unemployment.

<p>Stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

Inflation is the sustained rise in the general price level in an economy over _____ time.

<p>time</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of unemployment with their descriptions:

<p>Cyclical Unemployment = Unemployment due to economic downturns Structural Unemployment = Unemployment due to skill mismatch Seasonal Unemployment = Unemployment due to seasonal demand changes Frictional Unemployment = Unemployment during job transitions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What policy can be used to support the growth of the industrial sector?

<p>Tax cuts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Frictional unemployment is primarily caused by layoffs during a recession.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the economic costs of high unemployment?

<p>Lower GDP and lower tax revenues</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Multidimensional Poverty Index?

<p>An index tracking various components of poverty, including health and education. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Transfer payments are aimed at increasing income for those who work and pay taxes.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a debt trap?

<p>A situation where a country or firm needs to take out new loans to pay back old ones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The _____ is a measure of the cost of living for typical households in an economy.

<p>Consumer Price Index</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of crowding out in economics?

<p>A decrease in private investment due to increased government borrowing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Deregulation is aimed at increasing government control over private sector activities.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are automatic stabilizers?

<p>Factors that stabilize the economy by reducing short-term fluctuations without government intervention.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

<p>Nominal Value = Value measured at current prices Minimum Reserve Requirement = Fraction of deposits that must be held in reserve Quantitative Easing = Buying of bonds to increase money supply Fiscal Policy = Government's manipulation of taxes and expenditures</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of inflation occurs when aggregate demand exceeds aggregate supply?

<p>Demand-pull inflation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cost-push inflation results from an increase in aggregate demand.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'sticky wages' refer to?

<p>Wages that do not adjust downward easily during economic downturns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

An example of an automatic stabilizer is __________.

<p>unemployment benefits</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is absolute poverty?

<p>When people cannot access basic human needs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of likely minimum wage laws on employment during a recession?

<p>They may contribute to unemployment because companies cannot lower wages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Progressive taxes automatically decrease when an individual's income increases.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Multidimensional Poverty Index

An index that measures poverty across various aspects of life, including health, education, and living standards.

Absolute Poverty

A situation where individuals lack access to basic necessities like food and shelter.

Transfer Payments

Government payments made directly to individuals to redistribute income, essentially transferring money from taxpayers to those who need assistance.

Unemployment

People actively seeking employment but are unable to find work.

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Debt Trap

A situation where a country or company needs to continuously take out new loans to repay existing ones.

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Leakages

Funds withdrawn from the flow of income, such as savings, taxes, or imports.

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Nominal Value

The value of goods and services measured using current market prices.

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Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A measure of the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services.

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Cyclical Unemployment

Unemployment caused by a decline in overall economic activity, leading to job losses.

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Structural Unemployment

Unemployment resulting from a mismatch between the skills of job seekers and the skills required by available jobs.

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Seasonal Unemployment

Unemployment that occurs during specific periods of the year due to seasonal changes in demand.

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Frictional Unemployment

Unemployment resulting from the time it takes for individuals to transition between jobs.

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Inflation

The sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over time.

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Cost-Push Inflation

Inflation caused by an increase in the overall cost of production, such as rising wages or raw material prices.

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Demand-Pull Inflation

Inflation caused by an increase in aggregate demand exceeding the economy's capacity to produce goods and services.

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Hyperinflation

A situation where the price level is rising at an extremely rapid rate.

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Price Stability

A situation where the general price level remains constant due to low and stable inflation.

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Sticky Wages

A situation where wages are inflexible and unable to adjust downward to reach equilibrium levels during periods of unemployment.

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Automatic Stabilizers

Automatic stabilizers are economic policies that automatically adjust to stabilize the economy during fluctuations in the business cycle without requiring government intervention. Think of built-in safety nets.

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Progressive Taxes

A form of taxation where individuals with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes.

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Unemployment Benefits

A form of transfer payment made to individuals who are unemployed to help them cover their basic needs.

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What is Monetary Policy?

The way the central bank manages the money supply and interest rates to influence the economy.

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What is a Central Bank?

The independent authority responsible for managing the nation's monetary system.

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What is the money supply?

The amount of money available in the economy at a given time.

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What are Interest Rates?

The cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount.

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What is Fiscal Policy?

The use of government spending and taxes to influence the economy.

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What is a Government Budget?

A financial plan outlining government revenue from taxes and its spending on various programs.

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What is a Budget Deficit?

A situation where government spending exceeds its revenue from taxes.

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What is a Budget Surplus?

A situation where government revenue from taxes exceeds its spending.

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Increased Reserve Requirements

A contractionary monetary policy that reduces the amount of money in circulation by increasing the reserve requirements for banks. This forces banks to hold more money in reserve and decreases lending, thereby reducing investment and consumption.

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Increased Base Rate

A contractionary monetary policy where the central bank raises interest rates to make borrowing more expensive for both individuals and businesses. This discourages spending and investment, slowing down economic growth.

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Buy Bonds

An expansionary monetary policy where the central bank buys bonds to inject more money into the economy. This increases the money supply, stimulates lending, and encourages investment and consumption.

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Quantitative Easing (QE)

An expansionary monetary policy similar to OMOs but on a larger scale, involving the purchase of riskier bonds to further stimulate the economy. This is used primarily when interest rates are already very low.

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Direct Taxation

Taxes paid directly on individuals' income or wealth, such as income tax and inheritance tax.

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Indirect Taxation

Taxes levied on the sale of goods and services, such as value-added tax (VAT) and carbon taxes.

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Current Expenditures

Government spending on goods and services that are used up within the current year, such as healthcare and education.

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Capital Expenditures

Government spending on long-term investments, such as infrastructure projects like new airports.

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Unequal Income Distribution

The unequal distribution of income amongst people in a society, often observed in capitalist systems where business owners earn significantly higher incomes than employees.

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Unequal Wealth Distribution

Refers to the uneven distribution of wealth assets amongst individuals and groups within a society. This can be caused by unequal incomes and the ability to save and invest, leading to disparities in opportunities and long-term security.

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Wealth Concentration

A situation where a small portion of the population holds a disproportionately large share of the total wealth, often accumulated through generational transfers and wealth accumulation.

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Social Mobility

The ability of individuals to move up or down the economic ladder, influenced by factors like access to education, healthcare, and social opportunities. Wealth inequality can hinder social mobility as those without financial resources may face barriers to advancement.

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Poverty

The state of having a standard of living that is considered below an acceptable level, typically lacking basic necessities like food, clean water, healthcare, and education.

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Social Mobility

The potential for someone to move up or down in social status, often determined by factors like wealth, education, and opportunities. Unequal wealth distribution can significantly impact social mobility.

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Access to Resources

The ability for individuals to access resources like high-quality education, healthcare, and housing. Differences in social mobility often stem from limited access to resources.

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Study Notes

Part A: Definitions

  • Multidimensional Poverty Index: Tracks components of poverty (health, education, living standards), providing a more comprehensive view.
  • Absolute Poverty: Inability to access basic human needs (food, shelter).
  • Transfer Payments: Government payments to redistribute income, supporting vulnerable groups.
  • Unemployment: Individuals of working age actively seeking employment but not currently employed. Four types exist.
  • Debt Trap: Borrowing where new loans are required to repay prior loans.
  • Leakages: Withdrawals from the income flow (savings, taxes, imports).
  • Nominal Value: Measured in terms of current prevailing prices.
  • Consumer Price Index: Measures the cost of living for typical households.
  • Crowding Out: Increased government borrowing reduces private investment spending, impacting real GDP.

Part B: Short Answer

  • Unemployment Types:
    • Cyclical Unemployment: Unemployment resulting from a downturn in the business cycle. Shown as a deflationary gap on AD/AS curves. Upturns reduce unemployment.
  • Structural Unemployment: Unemployment due to skill mismatches (e.g., automated jobs) requiring retraining or relocation.
  • Seasonal Unemployment: Unemployment due to cyclical changes in demand (e.g., ski instructors in summer).

Part C: Long Answer

  • Constraints and Strengths: Monetary and Fiscal Policy tools are discussed as both constraints and strengths; italicized text denotes strengths and underlined constrains.
  • Monetary Tools:
    • Open Market Operations (OMOs): Central bank buying/selling government bonds to increase/decrease money supply, affecting interest rates and inflation. Buying bonds increases money supply and encourages growth, lowering interest rates; selling bonds decreases money supply (reduces inflation), increasing interest rates.
  • Minimum Reserve Requirements: Banks are required to hold a certain portion of customer deposits, impacting lending and economic activity.

Part D: Graphs and Illustrations

  • Crowding Out: Increased government spending can lead to higher interest rates, reducing private investment and possibly offsetting the initial impact of government spending. This can be partial or complete. Partial crowding out occurs when a fall in investment spending is smaller than the increase in government spending; complete when both are equal.
  • Lorenz Curve and Gini Coefficient: Visual tools used in analyzing income inequality; the closer the curve is to the diagonal line, the lower the inequality. Gini coefficient = A / (A+B), where "A" is the area between the curve and the line of equality and "B" is the area below the Lorenz curve.

Part E: Case Studies

  • The provided article will likely discuss economic conditions, particularly focusing on economic inequality, potential output, and actual output.
  • Economic Inequality: The degree to which people have access to resources like income and wealth.
  • Potential vs. Actual Output: Potential output is the predicted output at a future time, while actual output represents the current amount being produced.
  • Economic Growth: Increases in total real output.
  • Technology Improvements: Increased efficiency in production leads to higher output.

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