1. Module Fiscal Policy and the Multiplier KRUGMAN'S MACROECONOMICS for AP* 21 Margaret Ray and David Anderson

2. What you will learn in this Module : Why fiscal policy has a multiplier effect How the multiplier effect is influenced by automatic stabilizers

3. Multiplier Effects of an Increase in Government Purchases of Goods and Services Initial increase in spending Government spends $200b. AD and RGDP increase by $200b Indirect effect of increased spending The increase in government spending leads to increased incomes for consumers. This leads to an increase in AD and GDP also Remember the multiplier 1/1-MPC = Spending Multiplier Spending multiplier x $200b = total change in AD and GDP

4. Multiplier Effects of Changes in Government Transfers and Taxes Taxes and Transfers compared to Government Spending Transfer payments (unemployment insurance, TANF) change Consumption by the change in income x MPC Tax cuts change Consumption by the change in income x MPC The tax and transfer multiplier is MPC/MPS

5. Tax Multiplier -4 -3 -1.5 -9 Tax Multiplier = -MPC/MPS This is negative if taxes increase Spending Multiplier = 1/MPS MPC Multiplier 9 10.85.75 4.60 2.5.5 2 tax multiplier smaller than The tax multiplier is always smaller than the spending multiplier spending multiplier because a portion of the change in income due to taxes is saved, reducing. the overall impact on spending.

6. How Taxes Affect the Multiplier The full multiplier effect assumes a constant level of taxes and transfer payments regardless of income level (lump-sum taxes) In reality taxes and transfer payments are based on income levels. The effect is that the size of the multiplier is reduced and the economy is automatically stabilized. In contrast, discretionary fiscal policy would take place when Congress votes to make changes in taxes or government spending

7. Table 21.1 Hypothetical Effects of a Fiscal Policy with a Multiplier of 2 Ray and Anderson: Krugman’s Macroeconomics for AP, First Edition Copyright © 2011 by Worth Publishers