Final answer:
The Keynesian macroeconomic school of thought aligns with the policy of economic stimulus described in the news clip, as it supports government intervention to boost demand and economic activity, which was reflected in the increase in retail sales at stores like Wal-Mart and Costco.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Keynesian macroeconomic school of thought justifies the policy discussed in the news clip. Keynesian economics advocates for increased government expenditure and lower taxes to stimulate demand and pull the global economy out of a downturn. This approach is supported by the argument that when individuals receive government stimulus checks, like the economic stimulus payments mentioned in the news clip, they are likely to spend that money, which can help boost retail sales and overall economic activity.
As described in the news clip, retailers such as Wal-Mart and Costco saw a surge in sales due to the government's economic stimulus payments. This aligns with Keynesian principles, which suggest that short-term government spending can drive economic growth, particularly during periods of economic weakness. These increases in sales, particularly in sectors like flat-screen televisions and apparel, indicate that the stimulus was successful in increasing consumer spending, which is a central tenet of Keynesian economic theory.