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EconomicsModule 3 of 8

Fiscal Policy

6

Concepts

3

Formulas

1

Decisions

4

Quiz Questions

Key Concepts

6 concepts covered in this module.

Fiscal Policy Tools

Government spending and taxation. Expansionary: increase spending / cut taxes. Contractionary: cut spending / raise taxes.

Fiscal Multiplier

The amplified impact of government spending on GDP. Multiplier = 1 / (1 - MPC × (1-t)). Higher MPC = larger multiplier.

Balanced Budget Multiplier

Equal increase in G and T increases output by 1. Spending multiplier > tax multiplier because MPC < 1.

Automatic Stabilizers

Tax revenues and transfer payments that automatically adjust with the cycle. Reduce the amplitude of fluctuations without legislation.

Fiscal Stance

Structural (cyclically adjusted) deficit measures true fiscal stance. Actual deficit includes cyclical components.

Ricardian Equivalence

Theory: rational consumers save tax cuts to pay future taxes, neutralizing fiscal stimulus. Largely theoretical.

Formulas

3 essential formulas for this module.

Fiscal Multiplier

Multiplier = 1 / (1 - MPC(1-t))

Where: MPC = marginal propensity to consume, t = tax rate

Tax Multiplier

Tax Multiplier = -MPC / (1 - MPC(1-t))

Where: Smaller in absolute value than spending multiplier

Balanced Budget Multiplier

BBM = 1

Where: Equal increase in G and T increases Y by exactly the amount of the increase

Decision Frameworks

1 decision frameworks to guide your analysis.

Expansionary vs Contractionary fiscal policy?

  • Expansionary (increase G, cut T) during recessions to boost demand
  • Contractionary (cut G, raise T) during overheating to cool demand

Mind Map

Visual overview of how concepts connect in this module.

Fiscal Policy
Tools
Government spending (G)
Taxation (T)
Transfer payments
Multipliers
Spending: 1/(1-MPC(1-t))
Tax: -MPC/(1-MPC(1-t))
Balanced budget = 1
Challenges
Implementation lag
Crowding out
Political constraints
Ricardian equivalence
Automatic Stabilizers
Progressive taxes
Unemployment benefits
Reduce cycle amplitude

Study Fiscal Policy

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