2. Fiscal policy Suppose a hypothetical economy is currently in a situation of deficient aggregate demand of $32 billion. Four economists agree that expansionary fiscal policy can increase total spending and move the economy out of recession, but they are debating which type of expansionary policy should be used. Economist A believes that the government spending multiplier is 4 and the tax multiplier is 2. Economist B believes that the government spending multiplier is 2 and the tax multiplier is 8. Compute the amount the government would have to increase spending to close the output gap according to each economist's belief. Then, for each scenario, compute the size of the tax cut that would achieve this same effect.

Exploring Economics
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ISBN:9781544336329
Author:Robert L. Sexton
Publisher:Robert L. Sexton
Chapter24: Fiscal Policy
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Fiscal policy

2. Fiscal policy
Suppose a hypothetical economy is currently in a situation of deficient aggregate demand of $32 billion. Four economists agree that expansionary
fiscal policy can increase total spending and move the economy out of recession, but they are debating which type of expansionary policy should be
used.
Economist A believes that the government spending multiplier is 4 and the tax multiplier is 2. Economist B believes that the government spending
multiplier is 2 and the tax multiplier is 8.
Compute the amount the government would have to increase spending to close the output gap according to each economist's belief. Then, for each
scenario, compute the size of the tax cut that would achieve this same effect.
Policy Options for Closing Output Gap
Increase in Spending
(Billions of dollars)
Tax Cut
Spending Multiplier
Tax Multiplier
(Billions of dollars)
Economist A
4
2
Economist B
2
Economist C favors increases in government spending over tax cuts. This means that Economist C likely believes that:
Government purchases increase aggregate demand by stimulating investment.
Part of a dollar in tax cuts may be saved rather than spent and thus does not fully contribute to aggregate demand.
Economist D is skeptical about the effectiveness of an increase in government spending as an expansionary fiscal policy. Which of the following
statements is consistent with Economist D's belief?
How government spends money is less crucial to the success of policy than the magnitude of government spending.
O The specifics of how the government spends money are crucial to the effectiveness of an expansionary policy.
Transcribed Image Text:2. Fiscal policy Suppose a hypothetical economy is currently in a situation of deficient aggregate demand of $32 billion. Four economists agree that expansionary fiscal policy can increase total spending and move the economy out of recession, but they are debating which type of expansionary policy should be used. Economist A believes that the government spending multiplier is 4 and the tax multiplier is 2. Economist B believes that the government spending multiplier is 2 and the tax multiplier is 8. Compute the amount the government would have to increase spending to close the output gap according to each economist's belief. Then, for each scenario, compute the size of the tax cut that would achieve this same effect. Policy Options for Closing Output Gap Increase in Spending (Billions of dollars) Tax Cut Spending Multiplier Tax Multiplier (Billions of dollars) Economist A 4 2 Economist B 2 Economist C favors increases in government spending over tax cuts. This means that Economist C likely believes that: Government purchases increase aggregate demand by stimulating investment. Part of a dollar in tax cuts may be saved rather than spent and thus does not fully contribute to aggregate demand. Economist D is skeptical about the effectiveness of an increase in government spending as an expansionary fiscal policy. Which of the following statements is consistent with Economist D's belief? How government spends money is less crucial to the success of policy than the magnitude of government spending. O The specifics of how the government spends money are crucial to the effectiveness of an expansionary policy.
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