Topic 3: Fiscal Policy Circular Flow Investment Taxes and Government Spending 1.
Fiscal Policy. Section 1 Fiscal Policy is the federal government’s use of taxing and spending to...
-
Upload
conrad-lucas -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
1
Transcript of Fiscal Policy. Section 1 Fiscal Policy is the federal government’s use of taxing and spending to...
Chapter 15Fiscal Policy
Chapter 15Section 1
What is Fiscal Policy?
Fiscal Policy is the federal government’s use of taxing and spending to keep the economy stable
-Government spending has a large impact on the economy
What is Fiscal Policy?
Fiscal policy decisions, such as how much to spend and how much to tax, are among the most important decisions the federal government makes.
Fiscal Policy and the Federal Budget
A federal budget states how much money the government expects to get in that particular year and how much money the government can spend
Fiscal Policy and the Federal Budget
The federal governments prepares a new budget each fiscal year (12 month period)
The Budget Process
Federal agencies send request for
money to the Office of Management and
Budget
Office of Management work with President to
create a budget. President then sends it
to Congress
Congress makes changes to the budget, sends it
back to the President
President vetoes bill, Congress must override with 2/3 majority. If no majority, there must be compromise
President signs budget into law
Fiscal Policy and the Economy
Government spending can help increase or decrease the output of the economy
Expansionary policies-increase output
Contractionary policies-decrease output
Expansionary Fiscal Policy
If the federal government buys more goods and services, it raises output and creates jobs
When the government cuts taxes, consumers and businesses spend more/invest. This increases demand and output
Contractionary Fiscal Policies
If the federal government buys less goods and services, it leads to slower GDP growth
When the government raises taxes, consumers and businesses don’t spend as much or save. This also slows GDP growth
Limits of Fiscal Policy
Difficulty changing spending levels
-Significant changes in government spending must come from discretionary spendingPredicting the future
-Economists often disagree as to what’s best for the economy as well as predicting its current state
Limits of Fiscal Policy
Delayed Results-Change takes time
Political Pressures-Voters can effect fiscal policy,
such as decisions involving tax cuts and/or hikes
Coordinating Fiscal Policy
For fiscal policies to work, the judicial, executive and legislative branch must all work together
Need to look at state/regional economic differences
Fiscal policy must coordinate with monetary policies of the Federal Reserve
Chapter 15Section 2
Classical Economics
Classical economics is the idea that markets regulate themselves (i.e. Adam Smith)
The Great Depression challenged the ideas of classical economics
Keynesian Economics
Keynesian economics is the idea that the economy is composed of 3 sectors: individuals, businesses and government. Government actions can make up for changes in the other two
Keynesian Economics
Also argue that fiscal policy can fight recessions and depressions
Government could increase spending during a recession to make up for the decrease in consumer spending
The Multiplier Effect
The multiplier effect in fiscal policy means that every dollar in fiscal policy creates a greater than one dollar change in economic activity
The Multiplier Effect
Example: The government buys 10 billion dollars worth of guns from Company A. Not only did GDP increase because the government spent 10 billion, but now Company A has 10 billion dollars, some of that money which they will spend.
Automatic Stabalizers
A stable economy is one where there are no rapid changes in economic factors.
An automatic stabilizer is a government tax or spending category that changes in response to changes in GDP or income
Supply Side Economics
Supply Side Economics believe that taxes have a negative influence on output
The Laffer curve show how both high and low tax revenues can produce the same tax revenues.
Fiscal Policy in American History
The Great Depression-Increased government spending
World War II- Increased government spending
The 1960s- Proposed cuts to personal and business income taxes. Increased spending due to Vietnam War.
Supply side economics in the 1980s- Passed a bill to reduce taxes by 25% over 3 years
Chapter 15Section 3
Balancing the Budget
A balanced budget is a budget in which revenues are equal to spending
Balancing the Budget
A budget surplus occurs when revenues exceed spending
A budget deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenues
Resp0nding to Budget Deficits
Creating money- The government can pay for deficits by creating money, however, this can lead to inflation
Borrowing money- The government can also pay for deficits by borrowing money (ex. Bonds)
The National Debt
The national debt is the total amount of money the federal government owes. This money is owed to anyone who holds bonds.
The National Debt
The deficit is the money the government owes for one fiscal year. The national debt is the total amount the government owes.
In dollar terms, the debt is extremely large nearly
Is the Debt a Problem?
When money is spent on bonds, that money cannot be used for business investment. This is called the crowding-out effect.
The larger the national debt, the more money that is owed to bondholders and paying interest on the debt. That’s money that cannot be spend on other programs such as education
Is the Debt a Problem?
Keynesian economists argue that since government spending and borrowing help the economy, it outweighs the costs of having high debt
Deficit and Debt Reduction
There have been attempts by Congress to control deficits/budgets, but they have failed