#1
Which of the following is a tool of fiscal policy?
Government Spending
ExplanationGovernment spending is a tool of fiscal policy used to stimulate or cool down the economy.
#2
What does expansionary fiscal policy aim to do?
Stimulate economic growth
ExplanationExpansionary fiscal policy aims to boost aggregate demand to stimulate economic growth during a recession.
#3
What is the primary objective of fiscal policy?
All of the above
ExplanationThe primary objective of fiscal policy is to achieve macroeconomic stability, economic growth, full employment, and income distribution.
#4
Which of the following is an example of an automatic stabilizer in fiscal policy?
Unemployment benefits
ExplanationUnemployment benefits automatically increase during economic downturns, helping stabilize the economy by providing income support to those out of work.
#5
What is the primary tool of fiscal policy used by governments to influence the economy?
Taxation
ExplanationTaxation is a primary tool of fiscal policy used to regulate aggregate demand by adjusting tax rates to influence consumption and investment.
#6
Which of the following is NOT a goal of fiscal policy?
Foreign exchange rate stability
ExplanationWhile fiscal policy may indirectly impact exchange rates, its primary goals are macroeconomic stability, growth, employment, and income distribution.
#7
Which of the following represents contractionary fiscal policy?
Decreasing government spending and increasing taxes
ExplanationContractionary fiscal policy involves reducing government spending and increasing taxes to slow down economic growth and curb inflation.
#8
What is the crowding-out effect in fiscal policy?
Increased government spending crowds out private investment
ExplanationIncreased government spending can lead to higher interest rates, which may reduce private investment, known as the crowding-out effect.
#9
In fiscal policy, what does the term 'fiscal drag' refer to?
A decrease in tax revenues due to economic downturns
ExplanationFiscal drag refers to the automatic increase in tax revenues during economic growth, which can slow down economic activity.
#10
What is the Ricardian equivalence proposition in fiscal policy?
Government deficits will be fully offset by increased private savings
ExplanationThe Ricardian equivalence proposition suggests that individuals anticipate future tax increases to finance government deficits, leading to increased private savings that offset the deficits.
#11
What is the term for the situation when government spending exceeds revenue in a fiscal year?
Budget deficit
ExplanationA budget deficit occurs when government spending exceeds revenue within a fiscal year, leading to increased borrowing.
#12
Which of the following is an example of discretionary fiscal policy?
Defense spending increases during a war
ExplanationDiscretionary fiscal policy involves deliberate changes in government spending and taxation to achieve economic goals, such as increasing defense spending during a war.
#13
Which economic theory suggests that fiscal policy is less effective during recessions?
Classical economics
ExplanationClassical economics suggests that fiscal policy may be less effective during recessions due to factors like price rigidities and expectations.
#14
According to fiscal policy theory, what is the potential downside of using expansionary policy during an economic boom?
Increased inflation
ExplanationExpansionary fiscal policy during an economic boom may lead to increased aggregate demand, potentially causing inflationary pressures.
#15
In fiscal policy, what is the term for a simultaneous increase in government spending and taxes?
Neutral fiscal policy
ExplanationNeutral fiscal policy occurs when simultaneous changes in government spending and taxation have no net effect on aggregate demand.
#16
What is the term for the situation when government revenue equals spending in a fiscal year?
Fiscal equilibrium
ExplanationFiscal equilibrium occurs when government revenue equals spending within a fiscal year, resulting in a balanced budget.
#17
Which of the following economic theories suggests that fiscal policy should focus on minimizing government intervention in the economy?
Supply-side economics
ExplanationSupply-side economics advocates for policies that promote economic growth by reducing barriers to production and encouraging investment, often through tax cuts and deregulation.