Final answer:
In the money market, if the Federal Reserve wants to maintain the interest rates from the previous year without changing other conditions, the equilibrium rate and money quantity remain the same. However, to keep interest rates steady despite increasing demands, the Fed would increase the money supply. This policy allows for lower government borrowing costs and stimulates lending activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the concept of equilibrium and disequilibrium in the money market, particularly in relation to the actions of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. If the Fed chooses not to alter the money supply between 2013 and 2014, and demand for money remains constant, the equilibrium interest rate and quantity of money would not change from 2013. The existing equilibrium is represented by a grey star on the hypothetical money market graph.
However, if the Fed wishes to maintain the same interest rate levels from 2013 to 2014 amidst increasing money demand or other economic changes, they would need to increase the money supply to shift the supply curve rightward, indicated by a green line with triangle symbols on the graph. This would allow the interest rate to remain steady while accommodating the higher demand for money, which would increase the quantity of money in the equilibrium state, represented by a black point with plus symbol on the graph.
Most central banks, including the Federal Reserve, set monetary policies targeting specific economic outcomes such as stable inflation and low unemployment rates. This often involves manipulating the money supply to control interest rates. When central banks want to decrease interest rates, they will increase the money supply, making it cheaper for banks to borrow funds and leading to more loans being made. With lower interest rates, the government can issue bonds at lower interest rates and still attract buyers, whereas with high interest rates, the government must raise the interest it pays to attract buyers.