Unit 3: Macroeconomic Policy

Lesson 10a: Fiscal Policy - The Spending Multiplier

Introduction

 

The final two chapters look at fiscal policy (FP). We studied fiscal policy in lesson 12c. There we learned that if we have high unemployment (UE) the government can increase government spending (G) or cut taxes (T) to reduce it. If there is high inflation (IN) then the federal government can decrease spending or increase taxes to reduce it.

"HOW MUCH". That is how chapter 10 differs from chapter 12. In chapter 12 we learned that if government spending (G) increases it will cause an increase in AD which will cause an increase in output (RDO) and help reduce UE. But, HOW MUCH will output increase? In chapter 12 we learned that if taxes increase it will cause a decrease in AD which will cause a decrease in output (RDO) and reduce IN. But, HOW MUCH will output decrease?

We will learn that if government spending increases by let's say $10 billion, then real GDP (RDO) will increase by MUCH MORE than $10. This is called the "multiplier effect". Sounds like magic, but you will soon understand why.

 

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Lesson 10a