Unit 6: Chapter 16, 17, & 18 Flashcards
Tax base
The overall wealth (income and assets of citizens and corporations)that the government can tax to raise revenue
American dream
The belief that in the United States hard work and persistence will reap a financially secure happy and healthy life with upward social mobility
Economy
A system for producing distributing and consuming goods and services
Economic policy
A governments diverse policies geared toward promoting the nation’s economic health
Pure capitalist economy
An economy in which private individuals and companies own the modes of producing goods and services and the government does not enact laws aimed at influencing the marketplace transactions that distribute those goods and services
Regulated capitalist economy (mixed economy)
An economy in which the government enacts policies to influence the health of the economy
Laissez-faire
Hands-off stance of a government in regard to the marketplace
Income inequality
The gap in the proportion of national income held by the richest compared to that held by the poorest
Balanced budget
A budget in which the governments expenditures are equal to or less than its revenues
Deficit spending
Government expenditures costing more than is raised in Taxes leading to borrowing and debt
Keynesian economics
Theory that recommends that during a recession the national government should increase it’s spending and decrease taxes and during a boom it should cut spending and increased taxes
Recession
An economic downturn during which unemployment is high and the production of goods and services is low
Depression
A long-term and severe recession
Economic boom
Rapid economic growth
Fiscal policy
Government spending and taxing, and their effect on the economy
Supply side economics
Theory that advocates cutting Taxes and deregulating business to stimulate the economy
Deregulation
Reduction or elimination of regulatory restrictions on firms and industries
National debt
The total amount of money the national government owes to its creditors
Monetarism
Theory that says the governments proper economic role is to control the rate of inflation by controlling the amount of money in circulation
Inflation
The decreased value of money as evidenced by increased prices
GDP Gross domestic product
The total value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders
Progressive tax
A tax that takes a larger percentage of the income of wealthier taxpayers and a smaller percentage of the income of lower income text
Flat tax (proportional tax)
A tax that takes the same percentage of each taxpayers income
Regressive tax
A tax that takes a greater percentage of the income of lower income earners than of higher income earners
Discretionary spending
Payment on programs for which Congress and the president must approve budget authority each year in appropriation legislation
Mandatory spending
Government spending for debts and programs whose budget authority is provided in legislation other than annual appropriation Acts. this budget authority is open ended obligating the government to pay for the program as long as it exists
Executive budget
The budget document and budget message that explains the presidents fiscal plan
Continuing resolution
An agreement of the House and Senate that authorizes agencies not covered by approved appropriation laws to continue to spend money within their previous budget year’s levels
Budget surplus
Money left over after all expenses are paid
Budget deficit
More money spent than collected through revenues
Debt ceiling
The legal borrowing limit for the national government
Sequester
Automatic spending out
Monetary policy
The body of government policies controlled by the Federal Reserve system aimed at influencing the supply of money in the marketplace to maintain price stability
Trade policy
A collection of tax laws and regulations that supports the country’s international commerce