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Macroeconomics Final Vocab
Final Vocabulary
62
Economics
Undergraduate 1
05/20/2009

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Term
Scarcity
Definition
is the problem of infinite human needs and wants, in a world of finite resources.
Term
Opportunity Cost
Definition
The opportunity cost of an activity is the value of the next-best alternative that must be forgone in order to undertake the activity.
Term
Economics
Definition
the study of how people make choices under conditions of scarcity and of the results of those choices for society.
Term
Social Science
Definition
the scientific study of human society and social relationships. (Economics and politics.)
Term
Resources
Definition
Land, Labor, Human Capital, Capital, Entrepreneurship
Term
Investment
Definition
Spending on capital equipment, inventories, and structures, including household’s purchases of new housing.
Term
Scarcity Principle
Definition
(no-free-lunch principle) Although we have boundless needs and wants, the resources available to us are limited. So having more of one good thing usually means having less of another.
Term
Cost-Benefit Principle
Definition
An individual (firm or society) should take an action if and only if the extra benefits from taking the action are at least as great as the extra cost.
Term
Incentive Principle
Definition
A person (or a firm or a society) is more likely to take an action if its benefit rises, and less likely to take it if it cost rises.
Term
GDP
Definition
Gross Domestic Product. – Measures how much an economy produces in a given period
o Allows comparison over time. Good summary.
Term
Economic Growth
Definition
the increase in the amount of the goods and services produced by an economy over time.
Term
Sources of Economic Growth
Definition
o Policies to increase human capital: Providing free public education
o Policies that promote savings and investment: Public investment- bridges, airports, dams, etc.
o Policies that support research and development
Term
Symptoms of Inefficiency (Business Cycle, Unemployment)
Definition
o Business Cycle: fluctuation in production or economic activity over several months or years, around a long-term growth trend.
o Unemployment: the state of being unemployed.
Term
Macroeconomic Policy Objectives
Definition
o Full Employment
o Price Stability
o High and sustainable rate of economic growth
Term
Labor Force
Definition
Employed + Unemployed
Term
Productivity
Definition
Output per unit of Input
Term
Unemployment Rate
Definition
The # of Unemployed/ Labor Force
Term
Cyclical Unemployment
Definition
A type of employment rampant during a recession.
Term
Structural Unemployment
Definition
GLOBALIZATION. Horse and Buggy Industry after the car was invented.
Term
Frictional Unemployment
Definition
People in the midst of transitioning between jobs, searching for a new one.
Term
Seasonal Unemployment
Definition
Santa Clause during Christmas.
Term
Induced Unemployment
Definition
Caused by government Policies such as minimum wage.
Term
Full Employment
Definition
the condition in which virtually all who are able and willing to work are employed.
Term
Inflation
Definition
A general increase in prices and a fall in the purchasing power of money.
Term
Core Inflation
Definition
The rate of increase of all prices except energy and food.
Term
CPI
Definition
Consumer Price Index. Measures the cost of a standard basket of goods relative to the cost of the same goods in a fixed year, called the base year.
Term
Nominal Income
Definition
Income that has not been adjusted for inflation and decreasing Purchasing power.
Term
Real Income
Definition
Income that has been adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.
Term
Fisher Equation
Definition
Real Interest Rate + Inflation = Nominal Interest Rate
Term
Aggregate Expenditures
Definition
C + I + G + X - M
Term
Potential Output
Definition
If we efficiently utilize all of our resources in our economy.
Term
Recessionary Output Graph
Definition
Price Level goes Up
GDP goes Down
Term
Expansionary Output Graph
Definition
Price Level - Goes Down
GDP - Goes Up
Term
Rigid (Sticky) Prices
Definition
The belief that some prices adjust slowly in response to market shortages and surpluses.
Term
Business Cycle
Definition
A cycle or Series of Cycles in economic expansion and contraction.
Term
Recession
Definition
Downward slope
Term
Expansionary
Definition
Upward Slope
Term
Great Depression
Definition
1929
Term
John Maynard Keynes
Definition
Created the AE Model
Term
MPC
Definition
Marginal Propensity Calculator. The amount by which consumption rises when disposable income rises by $1
Term
Keynesian Spending Multiplier
Definition
Look up and know how to calculate and explain it.
Term
M1
Definition
Money Supply. (All currency in circulation + traveler's checks + checking accounts)
Term
Monetary Base
Definition
Money Supply.
o Currency held by individuals/firms
o Banks reserves kept within a bank or on deposit @ the central bank
Term
Purchasing Power of Money
Definition
The number of goods and services that can be purchased with a unit of currency.
Term
Functions of Money
Definition
o Medium of Exchange
o Store of Value
o Unit of Account
Term
Features of a Useful Medium of Exchange
Definition
o Portable
o Durable
o Divisible
o Recognizable
Term
Functions of the Federal Reserve
Definition
o Manage the Money Supply & Conduct Monetary Policy
o Serve as a Lender of Last Resort
o Insure the stability of the banking system.
Term
Tools of the FED (4)
Definition
o Open Market Operations: Buy or sell government Bonds
o Discount Rate: Interest Rate banks pay when they borrow money from the FED
o Reserve Requirements
o Moral Suasion: Idea that the FED can tell banks to loan more/less money.
Term
Independence of the FED
Definition
This is so they can pursue anti-inflation policy when it is necessary, even if it leads to a temporary recession. Elected officials would constantly face reelection so they would do what is in their best interest rather than that of economy.
-Officials are appointed every 14 years. Must be approved by the Senate. (7 Members)
Term
Fractional Reserve Banking System
Definition
the banking pracice in which banks keep only a fraction of their deposits in reserve (as cash and other highly liquid assets) and lend out the remainder.
Term
Open Market Operations (OMO)
Definition
o The sale and purchase of Treasury Bills
o Fed controls this
Term
Required Reserve Ratio
Definition
A banking regulation that sets the minimum reserves each bank must hold to customer deposits and notes. Would normally be in the form of fiat currency stored in a bank vault or with a central bank.
Term
Potential Money Multiplier
Definition
The reserve requirement affects the potential of the banking system to create money.
Term
Excess Reserves
Definition
When a bank holds more in reserves that is required by them by the central bank (FED)
Term
Cash Leakages
Definition
Money being held as currency rather than being deposited into some financial institution.
Term
Discount Rate
Definition
Interest Rate banks pay when they borrow money from the FED.
Term
Fed Funds Rate
Definition
Interest Rate banks charge one another when they borrow from each other. (Overnight Transactions)
Term
Monetary Policy
Definition
The process by which the government or the central bank controls:
o Supply of money
o Availability of money
o Cost of money or rate of interest
Term
Fiscal Policy
Definition
The use of government spending and revenue collection to influence the economy.
o Changes in spending effect
• AD and the level of economic activity
• Pattern of resource allocation
• Distribution of income
Term
Budget Deficit
Definition
When the government spends more money than they make from taxes.
Term
Crowding Out
Definition
Government spending that displaces Private Investment.
Term
Keynesian Model
Definition
1 / 1 - MPC X Changed in G
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