Economic Policymaking

1
Economic Policymaking

• Chapter 17

2
Government and the Economy

• Definitions
• Capitalism
• An economic system in which individuals and
  corporations, not the government, own the
  principle means of productions and seek profits.
• Mixed Economy
• An economic system in which the government is
  deeply involved in economic decisions through it
  role as regulator, consumer, subsidizer, taxer,
  employer and borrower.

3
Government and the Economy

• Unemployment and Inflation
• Unemployment rate Measured by the BLS, it is the
  proportion of the labor force actively seeking
  work, but unable to find jobs.
• Inflation The rise in prices for consumer goods.
• CPI Consumer Price Index- The key measure of
  inflation that relates the rise in prices over
  time.

4
Government and the Economy
5
Government and the Economy

• Elections and the Economy
• Economic trends affect what the voters vote for
• Unemployment rates affect presidential votes
• Political Parties and the Economy
• Republicans tolerate unemployment
• Democrats tolerate inflation

6
Instruments for Controlling the Economy

• Monetary Policy and the Fed
• The manipulation of the supply of money in
  private hands- too much cash and credit produces
  inflation.
• Money supply affects the rate of interest paid.
• Main policymaker is the Board of Governors of the
  Federal Reserve System- the Fed.

7
Instruments for Controlling the Economy

• Monetary Policy and the Fed continued
• The Feds instruments to influence the supply of
  money in circulation
• Sets discount rates
• Sets reserve requirements
• Buying / selling government bonds
• Through the use of these actions, the Fed can
  affect the economy.

8
Instruments for Controlling the Economy

• Fiscal policy Keynesian Versus Supply-Side
  Economics
• Fiscal Policy The policy that describes the
  impact of the federal budget on the economy.
• Keynesian Economic Theory Government spending
  and deficits help the economy weather its normal
  ups and downs.
• Governments job to increase demand of goods

9
Instruments for Controlling the Economy

• Fiscal policy Keynesian Versus Supply-Side
  Economics, continued
• Supply-Side policy The policy that says there is
  too much taxation and not enough money to
  purchase goods and services.
• Reduce taxation and government regulation then
  people will work harder, and thus create a
  greater supply of goods.

10
Obstacles to Controlling the Economy

• Some think politicians manipulate the economy to
  win reelection.
• But there are problems with that
• But things like the budget are prepared in
  advance of when they go into effect.
• Some benefits are indexed.
• Foreign problems can affect our economy.
• Capitalism can also affect the economy.
• So it is difficult for politicians to control the
  economy.

11
Arenas of Economic Policymaking

• Business and Public Policy Subsidies Amid
  Regulations
• The changing Face of Corporate Capitalism.
• Lots of mergers and acquisitions since 1980- some
  creating transnational corporations.
• Corporation battle for profits from the new
  technology economy.
• Government must find ways to control the excess
  power in this new economy.

12
Arenas of Economic Policymaking

• Business and Public Policy Subsidies Amid
  Regulations, continued
• Regulating Business.
• Antitrust policy policies designed to ensure
  competition and prevent monopolies.
• Antitrust cases are lengthy and expensive
• Benefiting Business.
• Government may loan businesses money
• Government collects data that business use.

13
Arenas of Economic Policymaking

• Consumer Policy The Rise of the Consumer Lobby
• Consumers historically had little government
  protection.
• FDA Created in 1913 and approves foods and drugs
  sold in the U.S.
• FTC Responsible for regulating false and
  misleading trade practices, which now includes
  consumer lending practices.

14
Arenas of Economic Policymaking

• Labor and Government
• Government historically sided with business over
  labor unions.
• NLRB regulates labor-management relations
• Collective bargaining union representatives and
  management determine pay working conditions
• Government now provides unemployment compensation
  and a minimum wage.

15
Arenas of Economic Policymaking

• New Economy, New Policy Arenas
• The new economy is more information centered
• There are still differences in information
  equality-
• More men than women have access
• More whites than minorities have access
• Differences are getting wider between the races

16
Understanding Economic Policymaking

• Democracy and Economic Policymaking
• As voting power increased, so did the demands for
  government action to restrict business.
• Some economic freedoms were given up for the
  greater good of society.
• Economic Policymaking and the Scope of Government
• Liberals and conservatives have different policy
  ideas.
• One wants less government, the other wants more.

17
Internet Resources

• Council of Economic Advisors
• Federal Reserve Board
• Federal Trade Commission
• DOJ Antitrust Division