Macro 8 - Causes and consequences of Inflation Flashcards
What are the 2 causes of inflation?
- Demand pull inflation
- Cost push inflation
Why does demand pull inflation occur?
AD increasing faster than AS
Illustrate demand-pull inflation using a diagram
Why does cost push inflation happen?
Because of an increase in cost of production
e.g - energy prices increase
Show cost push inflation using a diagram
What other factors could increase cost of production?
Inflation in other countries
What are the 7 costs of inflation?
- Shoe leather costs
- Menu costs
- Uncertainty for firms
- Loss of competitiveness
- Fiscal Drag
- Wage price spiral
- The effect on the pensioners and savers
What are shoe leather costs?
Shoe leather costs are the financial costs that are made by households in times of high inflation.
e.g - Trips to store to purchase goods or convert to a stable currency.
What are menu costs?
The costs incurred by a firm when it changes it’s prices, printing new price stickers.
What is the evaluation for shoe leather costs?
Depends on the extent of inflation
What is the evaluation for menu costs?
Menu costs only occur during periods of hyperinflation
What is uncertainty for firms?
During high inflation, this usually implies there is high likelihood of negative economic future. So, there will be less investment into captital
What is the evaluation of firms being uncertain?
Inflation may be short term, so firms may still invest
Some firms can afford to invest in periods of high inflation
What is loss of competitiveness?
Exports become more expensive.
Countries stop importing from UK.
UK becomes less internationally competitive
What is the evaluation for loss of competitveness?
Some exports have inelastic demand. So, demand may not fall as some products such as gas are bought on long term contracts.