2.1 Government and the Economy Flashcards
Budget deficit
amount by which government spending is greater than government revenue.
Macroeconomics
study of large economic systems such as: the whole country / area of the world.
Microeconomics
study of small economic systems, part of national or international systems.
Economic growth
increase level of output by a nation.
National income
value of income, outputs or expenditure over a period of time.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
market value of all final goods and services produced in a period (yearly), internationally recognised measure of national income.
Boom
peak of the economic cycle where GDP is growing at its fastest.
Downturn
period in the economic cycle where GDP grows, but more slowly.
Recession
period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, fall of GDP in two successive quarters.
Depression
bottom of the economic cycle where GDP starts to fall with significant increase in unemployment.
Recovery (upswing)
GDP starts to rise again.
Overheat
demand rises too fast, causes prices and imports to rise, situation that governments correct by raising taxes and interest rates.
Unsustainable growth
economic growth not possible to sustain without causing environmental problems.
Aggregate demand
total demand in the economy (include consumption, investment, government expenditure, exports minus imports)
Deflation
period where level of aggregate demand falls.
Inflation
rate at which prices rise, general and continuing rise in prices.
Consumer price index (CPI)
measure of the general price level (- housing costs)
Retail price index (RPI)
measure of the general price level (+ house prices & council tax)
Demand-pull inflation
inflation caused by too much demand relative to supply
Cost-push inflation
inflation caused by rising business costs
Interest rates
price paid to lenders for borrowed money; price of money
Monetarists
economists believe there’s a (strong) link between growth in money supply & inflation.
Purchasing power of money
amount of goods & services bought with a fixed sum of money.
Menu costs
costs to firms having to make repeated price changes.
Shoe leather costs
costs to firms & consumers searching for new suppliers when inflation is high
Hyperinflation
very high levels of inflation; rising prices get out of control.
Unemployment
when those actively seeking work are unable to find a job