The business cycle model shows the fluctuations in a nation's aggregate output and employment over time. The model shows the four phases an economy experiences over the long-run:
expansion, peak, recession, and trough
.
Is the business cycle irregular fluctuations?
The business cycle is the
periodic but irregular up-and-down movement in economic activity
, measured by fluctuations in real gross domestic product (GDP) and other macroeconomic variables.
How accurate is business cycle forecasting?
While business cycle forecasting can provide useful insights about how the future might unfold,
it is impossible to accurately predict exactly when booms and busts will occur
.
What are economics fluctuations?
Economic fluctuations are simply
fluctuations in the level of the national income of a country representing growth or contraction
. A market economy is not static. It's dynamic. A rise in national income means an economy is growing, while a decline in national income means that an economy is contracting.
Are economic fluctuations regular or irregular?
Economic fluctuations are
irregular and unpredictable
: Although economic fluctuations are often termed the business cycle, the term ‘business cycle' is misleading because it suggests that economic fluctuations follow a regular, predictable pattern. In reality, economic fluctuations are irregular and unpredictable.
What is the difference between business cycles and business fluctuations?
Business cycles are systematic changes in real GDP, and business fluctuations are changes that occur on an irregular basis
.
How does monetary policy help prevent a downturn in the economic cycle?
Policies to avoid a Recession. As well as cutting base rates, the monetary authorities could try and
reduce other interest rates in the economy
. e.g. the Central Bank could buy government bonds or mortgage securities. Buying these bonds causes lower interest rates and helps to boost spending in the economy.
How does the unemployment rate fluctuate over the business cycle?
Unemployment
increases during business cycle recessions and decreases during business cycle expansions
(recoveries). Inflation decreases during recessions and increases during expansions (recoveries).
Which of the following is a characteristic of a downturn in the business cycle?
The key features of an economic downturn include:
Negative or very low economic growth
. Rising unemployment. Falling asset prices – shares and house prices.
How does employment typically change over the business cycle?
As the economy expands, businesses, or “firms,” tend to use more resources—including labor. In other words,
as firms increase output, they usually hire more workers
. As a result, when output rises, employment tends to rise as well.
What are economic fluctuations What are their characteristics?
Economic Fluctuations:
Different types of economic changes include
trend, seasonal, random, and cyclical
. Economic fluctuations are caused by an increase in aggregate demand due to increased consumption, a level of government spending, and a balance of payment surplus.
What are the leading and lagging indicators of forecasting a business cycle?
Leading indicators are considered to point toward future events. Lagging indicators are seen as confirming a pattern that is in progress
. Coincident indicators occur in real-time and clarify the state of the economy.
What are the indicators of a contraction?
A contraction generally occurs after the business cycle peaks, but before it becomes a trough. According to most economists,
when a country's real gross domestic product (GDP)—the most-watched indicator of economic activity—has declined for two or more consecutive quarters
, then a recession has occurred.
How do leading indicators forecast the business cycle?
The “leading indicator” approach is
based on the view that market-oriented economies experience repetitive but non-periodic fluctuations in economic activity
. The OECD system of leading indicators is based on the “growth cycle” approach, which measures deviations from the long-term trend.
Which of business cycle states that business fluctuations are caused due to the factors outside the economic system?
A
volatile business cycle
is considered bad for the economy. A period of economic boom (rapid growth in GDP) invariably leads to inflation with various economic costs.
Which theory of business cycle states that business fluctuations are caused due to the factors lying within the economic system itself?
Keynesian
. According to Keynesian economics, fluctuations in aggregate demand cause the economy to come to short run equilibrium at levels that are different from the full employment rate of output. These fluctuations express themselves as the observed business cycles.
What are examples of economic fluctuations?
Irregular economic fluctuations result from unusual events, such as
floods, strikes, civil strife, large bankruptcies and terrorist incidents
. The impact of these fluctuations is usually limited to a certain industry or market. For example, a flood may affect the distribution capability within a specific region.
What are the key 3 facts about economic fluctuations?
There are three key facts about economic fluctuations that stand out: (1)
economic fluctuations are irregular and unpredictable, (2) most macroeconomic measures fluctuate together, and (3) as the output falls, unemployment rises
.
Are economic fluctuations easily predicted by competent economists?
2. Which of the following is correct? a.
Economic fluctuations are easily predicted by competent economists.
How does fluctuations in the economy affect inflation?
As an economy grows, businesses and consumers spend more money on goods and services. In the growth stage of an economic cycle, demand typically outstrips the supply of goods, and producers can raise their prices. As a result,
the rate of inflation increases
.
What is the difference between a business cycle and day to day market fluctuations *?
The day-to-day fluctuations are more likely to have an impact on people's finances.
A business cycle is usually more restricted, whereas market fluctuations are worldwide
. A business cycle is a major, prolonged fluctuation rather than a day-to-day movement.
How do leading economic indicators help us predict downturn and upturn in the economy?
How do leading economic indicators help us predict downturns and upturns in the economy? Leading economic indicators
provide warning signs that usually precede a downturn or upturn in the economy
. What is creeping inflation and hyperinflation?
How is unemployment caused?
When businesses contract during a recessionary cycle, workers are let go and unemployment rises
. When unemployed consumers have less money to spend on goods and services, businesses must contract even further, causing more layoffs and more unemployment.
Are recessions inevitable?
Recessions are not logically inevitable in any economy, but are contingent upon the monetary practices and institutions a society adopts
. For the time being, given existing monetary institutions, recessions are inevitable.
How does monetary policy affect business?
Monetary policy impacts the money supply in an economy, which influences interest rates and the inflation rate. It also
impacts business expansion, net exports, employment, the cost of debt, and the relative cost of consumption versus saving
—all of which directly or indirectly impact aggregate demand.
What are the pros and cons of monetary policy?
- Interest Rate Targeting Controls Inflation. …
- Can Be Implemented Fairly Easily. …
- Central Banks Are Independent and Politically Neutral. …
- Weakening the Currency Can Boost Exports.