The Math Behind Fiscal Policy
1. Suppose the government decides to increase taxes by $30
billion in order to increase Social
Security benefits by the same amount. How will this combined
tax-transfer policy affect Aggregate Demand (AD) at current prices?
2.If the AD shortfall is $800 billion and the Marginal
Propensity to Consume (MPC) is 0.8,
(a) How large is the desired fiscal stimulus?
(b) How large an income tax cut is needed?
(c) Alternatively, how much more government spending would
achieve the target?
3. If the AD excess is $400 billion and the MPC is 0.9,
(a) How much fiscal restraint is desired?
(b) By how much do income taxes have to be increased to get
that restraint?
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