Understanding Macroeconomics: Business Cycles, Employment, Inflation, and Economic Growth
This module introduces key concepts in macroeconomics, including the business cycle, the measurement of employment and unemployment, and aggregate output fluctuations. It discusses the implications of inflation and deflation, emphasizing the importance of price stability. Students will learn how economic growth influences a country’s standard of living and the role of models in simplifying economic analysis. Assess your understanding with the quiz on economic upturns and downturns and prepare for the upcoming Unit 1 test by reviewing essential vocabulary and concepts.
Understanding Macroeconomics: Business Cycles, Employment, Inflation, and Economic Growth
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Presentation Transcript
Module 2 Introduction to Macroeconomics
Goes up during…. • Goes down during …. Connection to Business Cycle
What is a business cycle ? • How are employment and unemployment measured and how do they change over the business cycle? • Define aggregate output and how does it change with the business cycle? • What is the meaning of inflation and deflation and why do we prefer price stability? • How does economic growth determine a countries standard of living? • Why do models play a crucial role in economics? M2 Quiz
Economic Upturns and Downturns • The time of recession to expansion and back to recession Business Cycle
Employment is the total number of people currently working for pay. • Unemployment is the total number of people who are actively looking for work but aren’t currently employed. • During recession unemployment rates generally rise, during expansion they generally fall. Employment and Unemployment
The economy’s total production of goods and services for a given time period, usually a year. • Aggregate output falls in a recession, rises during expansion. Aggregate Output
Inflation – rise in the overall price level • Deflation – a fall in the overall price level. • Inflation discourages people from holding cash, Deflation more attractive to hold on to cash. • We want price stability because it keeps the economy stable. Inflation/Deflation and Price Stability
Economic growth allows for higher wages which allows people to afford more of what they want and “need” thus a rising standard of living. Economic Growth and Standard of Living
Models are important to economics because they allow us to make situations more simple so we can focus on analyzing one change at a time. • Ceteris Paribus – Other things equal assumption. Models and Economics
Unit 1 Test On Wednesday • -Review Modules 1-4 • Unit 1 Vocabulary • Unit 1 Review