Macroeconomics

Table of Contents

1. Topic pack - Macroeconomics - introduction
2. 2.1 The level of overall economic activity (notes)
3. 2.1 The level of overall economic activity (questions)
4. Section 2.2 Aggregate demand and supply (notes)
   1. Aggregate demand and supply - introduction
   2. The AD/AS model
   3. Aggregate demand curve
   4. Changes in aggregate demand
   5. Short-run aggregate supply (SRAS)
   6. Changes in SRAS
   7. Long run aggregate supply (LRAS) - classical
   8. Changes in LRAS - classical
   9. Long run aggregate supply (LRAS) - Keynesian
   10. Aggregate supply changes
   11. Full employment level of national income
   12. Equilibrium national income
   13. The essentials of AD and AS
   14. Changes in short-run equilibrium - summary
   15. Equilibrium in the long run?
   16. Equilibrium in the Keynesian model
   17. Inflationary and deflationary gaps
   18. Keynes vs. Hayek (video)
   19. The Keynesian multiplier
5. Section 2.2 Aggregate demand and supply (simulations and activities)
6. 2.2 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply (questions)
7. 2.3 Macroeconomic objectives (notes)
8. Low Unemployment
9. 2.3 Macroeconomic objectives (questions)
10. 2.4 Fiscal policy (notes)
11. 2.4 Fiscal policy (questions)
12. 2.5 Monetary policy (notes)
13. 2.5 Monetary Policy (questions)
14. Section 2.6 Supply-side policies (notes)
15. 2.6 Supply-side policies (questions)
16. Print View

Summary of AD and AS

Syllabus: Examine, using diagrams, the impacts of changes in shortrun equilibrium.

Both aggregate demand and supply curves are aggregates - that is, they are the total of either all demand or all supply within the economy.

Aggregate demand slopes downwards (see Page 44) and shows that as the average price level in the economy falls the aggregate demand for real output increases.

A change in any of its components (C+I+G+X-M) will SHIFT the AD curve to a new position. So, if a country becomes more successful in exporting its products to other countries, the AD line will shift to the right as in the diagram below (Figure 2). A similar situation will arise if the government stimulated the economy via expansionary fiscal or monetary policy.

Figure 2 Increased aggregate demand

The aggregate supply curve shows the total output of goods and services, which the firms or producers or suppliers plan to supply, at a given price level. A change in any of the determinants of AS (Q and Q of FoP), apart from the price level (Mover), will shift the AS curve to a new position.

If, or when, any of these change the curve can shift. In the diagram below (Figure 3), import prices have fallen and so too have the costs of production - the AS curve has therefore moved to the right (outwards).

Figure 3 Increased aggregate supply

Have a go at shifting the AD/AS curves for each of the changes below, practice drawing the diagrams, original equilibrium AD and AS curves and show how the equilibrium has changed. Once you have answers to the outlined changes, follow the links to see if your answers agree (check your learning).

Illustrate the effect on equilibrium of the following:

1. The central bank is concerned about future inflation and so increases interest rates.
2. The exchange rate depreciates, leading to a fall in export prices and an increase in import prices.
3. Consumers are concerned about high levels of debt and so reduce spending and increase saving to try to reduce their indebtedness.

Answer 1

Answer 2

Answer 3