2008 B Macro FRQ #1

2008 B Macro FRQ #1

(A) How will the increase in government expenditures (spending) affect each of the following in the short-run?

(i) Aggregate Demand

Government spending will shift the AD curve rightward. 

Government spending causes (C) consumption to increase which increases AD.

The AD/AS cheat sheet is here.

(ii) Short-run Aggregate Supply

Government spending does not affect the SRAS - short run aggregate supply curve.

These shift the SRAS curve 

(B) Using a CLG of the AD/AS, show the effects of the expenditure on the real output (RGDP) and the price level (PL).

PL, increases

RGDP, increases

&

Incomes (Y) increase

(C) Assume that the government funded this increase in expenditures by borrowing from the public. Using a CLG of the loanable funds market, show the effects of the borrowing on the RIR, real interest rate.

Government spending increases, the RIR, increases

Fiscal Policy Cheat Sheet is here.

(D) Given the change in the real interest rate (C), what will be the effect of the change in the FOREX?

(i) Supply of Z currency. Explain. (WHY?)

If, the government increases spending then the RIR will increase. This increased interest rate will attract foreigners to invest into Z's interest bearing assets (people want to put their money into Bonds) because they can earn a higher interest rate compared to their own countries. Capital flows (money) will flow into the country of Z to take advantage of the higher interest rates. 

To be able to invest in country Z investors must exchange their currency in the FOREX market. They are demanding Z's currency. The demand for Z's currency will increase. This will decrease the supply of Z's currency in the FOREX. 

(ii) The value of Z currency.

Demand increases for Z's currency and supply decreases, so the value will rise.

(E) Given your answer in part (d)(ii), what will be the effect of the change in the value of Z's currency on Z's exports? Explain.

(D)(ii) says that the currency's value will increase. This means that to buy a Z, one must spend more in the FOREX. 

Explain, - I want to buy a jacket from the country of Z and it costs 100z. The company who makes the jacket do not take $ they only take z's. So, I must trade my $ for z's in the FOREX. Before the government spending (RIR increased) I could buy the jacket for $100. 

The exchange rate was 1 for 1.  - 100$ for 100z

Now the value of Z's currency has increased, it now takes 2$ to equal 1z. So, I must take $200 to buy 100z. I can still buy the jacket but since the RIR increased and the value of the z increased I must pay more for each z that I want to buy.

This means that the price of the goods in the country of Z have increased for foreigners wanting to buy their goods.

If the price of Z's goods have increased relative to other countries then they will not be able to export as much. Their exports will decline.