Question

An economy is operating with output $300 billion below its natural rate, and fiscal policymakers want to close this recessionary gap. The central bank agrees to adjust the money supply to hold the interest rate constant, so there is no crowding out. The marginal propensity to consume is 0.75, and the price level is completely fixed in the short-run. (a) In what direction and by how much would government spending need to change to close the recessionary gap

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

a. The computation is shown below;

As we know that

Y/G = 1 ÷ (1-MPC)

Here

Y = $300 billion,

MPC = 0.75

So,

300 ÷ G = 1 ÷ 0.25

G = $75

So the government should rise the spending by $75 in order to close out the recessionary gap

So, the government should increase the spending by $30 to close the recessionary gap.