Explain why governments choose low unemployment, low inflation, and sustainable economic growth as key policy objectives.
Q: Governments set targets for key macroeconomics objectives, but these are seldom met.
Explain why governments choose low unemployment, low inflation, and sustainable economic growth as key policy objectives.
Introduction
· Explain the meaning of low unemployment, low inflation, and sustainable economic growth
Definitions
Description
Examples
Why low unemployment as a key policy objective?
· Explain the costs relating to high unemployment
1. Fiscal costs - Worsening of budget position due to increased spending on unemployment/welfare benefits together with reduced tax revenue since there are a smaller pool of people to pay income text.
2. Increases social and political instability – deterrent for investors
· High Unemployment indicates inefficiency in the economy -producing within the PPC instead of on the PPC
Why low inflation as a key policy objective?
· Explain the costs relating to high inflation
1. Reduced exports competitiveness, while locals switch to cheaper imports: Worsening of BOP
2. Reduced purchasing power of consumers -> Fall in material SOL
3. Deter Investors: higher costs, uncertain margins
Why sustainable growth as a key policy objective?
· Higher economic growth allows for greater material SOL as increased amount of goods and services produced (alternatively: higher incomes = greater purchasing power)
· “Sustainable” suggests growth that limits the costs associated with it.
1. High inflation
2. Environmental degradation
3. Widening inequality