Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Understanding Classical View Multiple Choice Questions


Understanding AP Classical View 
Multiple Choice Questions

1) The clearest example of the Classical View is the Vertical Aggregate Supply Curve
Any change in AD only increases or decreases the PL
No Change in RGDP

We think of the Classical View having a vertical Aggregate Supply curve,
so when AD increase we have an increase in the PL but no change in the RGDP/output.

1995 Exam
(A.) the price level is rising (No change in RGDP)

If Government Spending is increasing and the RGDP (No Change)
then the AS curve must be vertical
therefore
the PL increases but RGDP (no change)


2) You read a Multiple Choice question that starts with the phrase "In the Long-Run".

In the Long-Run implies that we are starting at Long-Run Equilibrium, then something changes such as the FED increasing the Money Supply which increases aggregate demand which increases the Price Level. We are now in an Inflationary Scenario and we must figure out what happens in the Long-Run.

(C.) Real GDP (No change) PL decreases

or
we can think of it like this
In the graph above 
recognize that we are moving from LR-Equilibrium into an inflationary scenario 
and 
with no Monetary or Fiscal Policy actions (In the Long-Run) wages and prices will increase 
and 
we will return to Long-Run Equilibrium (Full Employment) at a higher price level
therefore
PL increased and RGDP/Output did not change (back to full employment)



Notice the graph above is Inflation
(E.) As wages increase, it shifts the SRAS to the left, 
Business prices increase and output returns to full employment (LR-Equilibrium)
 at a higher price level (No change in the RGDP)

1990 Exam

Notice the graph above is Recession
(C.) lower resource prices, which will reduce costs and shift
SRAS to the right
Until full-employment is achieved
at a lower price level



Perhaps we should have started with the types of questions tested by the College Board 
on the Classical View that involve no graphs 
but understandings about the characteristics of the Classical View

From the Classical View Cheat Sheet
found here.
Understand that all of these phrases above clue us into the fact that we are taking the
Classical View


1990 Exam
(D.) Prices and Wages are flexible

1995 Exam
(B.) The economy is self-correcting to full-employment

2000 Exam
(A.) A market economy is self-correcting and thus
will not remain in recession indefinitely

2005 Exam
(C.) Self-correcting market forces stemming from
flexible prices and wages


Or
We could talk about if the College Board starts a question in a Recession

2008 Exam
Less than Full Employment = Recession
(A.) Output increases & the PL falls