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Explain the concept of inflation. Discuss in detail the cost-push & demand-pull inflation.
In Economics
Cash balances approach is considered superior to fishers equation. Justify
In Economics
Describe the shortcomings of measuring National Income
In Economics
XPro Tutors
May 27, 2023
1). Exclusion of Real Transactions: Only those products that are acquired and sold through the market are included when evaluating national income from the output side. To put it another way, GDP comprises the monetary value of goods sold on the open market at current prices. All direct sales of various goods and services, on the other hand, are prohibited Barter transactions and numerous free services provided on a personal level are examples. Because these services are not purchased through market transactions, the value of these services is not included in GDP. 2). The Worth of Leisure We all place a monetary value on our time. We sell part of our time to employers in exchange for money, but we keep a lot of it for ourselves. Some of this leisure is spent on domestic services that aren't counted as part of GDP. The pleasure we derive from recreational pursuits and other leisure activities is not accounted for in GDP. 3). Environmental Damage Expenses: A country's citizens may be able to enjoy more and better goods and services each year, but they must also endure greater traffic, bad air, polluted water, and other environmental costs that lower their quality of life. Pollution and other characteristics of industrial activities that harm the environment are related to costs. When calculating GDP, the costs of environmental degradation are not deducted from the market value of final items. 4). Measuring National Income: India has a large hidden economy. This economy is made up of transactions that are never disclosed to taxing authorities or other government agencies. It comprises unlawful products and services transactions such as the sale of hazardous narcotics, gambling, smuggling, and prostitution. These unlawful goods and services are finished things that are not counted as part of the GDP. People who do not comply with tax rules, immigration laws, or government restrictions, and who do not report their income to tax authorities, are also part of the underground economy. 5). Transfer Payments and Capital Gains: All domestic transfer payments (personal, private, and government) are not included in a country's national income. If a person receives a monetary present from his father, who is also an Indian resident, it will not be counted as part of India's national income. If a student wins a Tata Foundation Scholarship for higher education, the same rationale applies. This is an example of a payment made by a company to another company
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Explain in detail the Consumption Function. What are the factors affecting the Consumption Factor
In Economics
XPro Tutors
May 27, 2023
The consumption function in its simplest linear form is written as, C = a + bY Here, C represents the level of consumption. ‘a’ represents the level of autonomous consumption. ‘b’ reflects the marginal propensity to consume and Y is the income level. Autonomous consumption can be defined as consumption levels that do not depend on the level of income. Autonomous consumption remains constant and does not change with the level of income. ‘bY’ together reflects induced investment which is affected by the level of income. The marginal propensity to consume is a measure that reflects the quantitative change in consumption levels due to a change in the level of income. In other words, it shows the change in consumption due to a change in income levels. Marginal propensity to consume or MPC can be represented as MPC = ΔC/ΔY Here, ΔC represents a change in consumption and ΔY shows the change in income. First of all, the income of the consumer is the most important factor which affects consumption. Consumption varies directly along with the level of income. An increase in the income level will cause an increase in consumption as well. However, the rate of increase may vary. Secondly, the distribution of income also affects consumption. Unequal distribution of income lowers consumption levels as a large share of income remains in the hands of a few. An equal distribution of income usually increases consumption levels. Thirdly, interest rates are also an important factor that affect the level of consumption. When interest rates are high, consumers will tend to save more rather than consuming. So, we can say that there is a negative relationship between consumption and interest rate. Consumer expectations also play an important role in determining consumption. If consumers expect a price rise or shortage in the future, they will tend to purchase a certain good in a larger quantity than usual. Lastly, the fiscal policies of the government also play a crucial role in the determination of income. A tax rise will reduce disposable income in the hand of the consumer thus reducing the level of consumption. Similarly, an increase in government spending will increase income levels thus increasing consumption.
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Define National Income. Analyze the importance and limitations of National Income
In Economics
XPro Tutors
May 27, 2023
National income is the total income earned in a nation. Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of all final goods produced within a nation's borders. Gross national product (GNP), the other common measure, counts all income accruing to factors of production owned by a nation's citizens. The value of all final output equals the sum of all factor payments. I) National income statistics helps to conduct a useful analysis considering the structure of the economy by the government. It helps to understand which sectors of the economy are contributing greatly towards the development and the contribution of each towards the national income. Thus, it roughly gives the idea of the structure of the economy and helps in planning and framing economic policies. II) factor cost is the cost that is used up to make good or service. However, market price is the final price in the market that include the taxes. Thus, the difference between national income at market price and factor cost is the net indirect tax I.e. taxes less subsidies. Limitations Double counting: Sometimes, the same component is counted twice if it has been used in the production process. This may lead to inaccurate calculation of GDP. Ignores nonmonetary transactions: Certain transactions such as the services of a housewife, a teacher teaching his own son, etc. are completely ignored while estimating national income. Due to this, the important component is ignored. Ignores goods produced for self-consumption: National income only includes those transactions which are related to the market. Therefore, goods that are produced for self-consumption such as food grains for a farmer's family are not used in calculating national income. Choice of method: Since there are various methods to calculate national income, it is important to use the correct one while estimating it. The components which are given must be studied carefully and then only the appropriate method should be used.
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Explain Fisher’s Quantity Theory of Money. What are its criticisms?
In Economics
XPro Tutors
May 24, 2023
The quantity theory of money states that the quantity of money is the main determinant of the price level or the value of money. Any change in the quantity of money produces an exactly proportionate change in the price level. In the words of Irving Fisher, “Other things remaining unchanged, as the quantity of money in circulation increases, the price level also increases in direct proportion and the value of money decreases and vice versa.” If the quantity of money is doubled, the price level will also double and the value of money will be one half. On the other hand, if the quantity of money is reduced by one half, the price level will also be reduced by one half and the value of money will be twice. Fisher has explained his theory in terms of his equation of exchange: PT=MV+ M’ V’ : Where P = price level, or 1 IP = the value of money; M = the total quantity of legal tender money; V = the velocity of circulation of M; M’ – the total quantity of credit money; V’ = the velocity of circulation of M; T = the total amount of goods and services exchanged for money or transactions performed by money. This equation equates the demand for money (PT) to supply of money (MV=M’V). The total volume of transactions multiplied by the price level (PT) represents the demand for money. According to Fisher, PT is SPQ. In other words, price level (P) multiplied by quantity bought (Q) by the community (S) gives the total demand for money. This equals the total supply of money in the community consisting of the quantity of actual money M and its velocity of circulation V plus the total quantity of credit money M’ and its velocity of circulation V’. Thus the total value of purchases (PT) in a year is measured by MV+M’V’. Thus the equation of exchange is PT=MV+M’V’. In order to find out the effect of the quantity of money on the price level or the value of money, we write the equation as P= (MV+M’V’)/T Fisher points out the price level (P) (M+M’) provided the volume of tra remain unchanged. The truth of this proposition is evident from the fact that if M and M’ are doubled, while V, V and T remain constant, P is also doubled, but the value of money (1/P) is reduced to half. Criticisms of the Theory: The Fisherian quantity theory has been subjected to severe criticisms by economists. 1. Truism: According to Keynes, “The quantity theory of money is a truism.” Fisher’s equation of exchange is a simple truism because it states that the total quantity of money (MV+M’V’) paid for goods and services must equal their value (PT). But it cannot be accepted today that a certain percentage change in the quantity of money leads to the same percentage change in the price level. 2. Other things not equal:: The direct and proportionate relation between quantity of money and price level in Fisher’s equation is based on the assumption that “other things remain unchanged”. But in real life, V, V and T are not constant. Moreover, they are not independent of M, M’ and P. Rather, all elements in Fisher’s equation are interrelated and interdependent. For instance, a change in M may cause a change in V. Consequently, the price level may change more in proportion to a change in the quantity of money. Similarly, a change in P may cause a change in M. Rise in the price level may necessitate the issue of more money. Moreover, the volume of transactions T is also affected by changes in P. When prices rise or fall, the volume of business transactions also rises or falls. Further, the assumptions that the proportion M’ to M is constant, has not been borne out by facts. Not only this, M and M’ are not independent of T. An increase in the volume of business transactions requires an increase in the supply of money (M and M’). 3. Constants Relate to Different Time: Prof. Halm criticises Fisher for multiplying M and V because M relates to a point of time and V to a period of time. The former is a static concept and the latter a dynamic. It is therefore, technically inconsistent to multiply two non-comparable factors. 4. Fails to Measure Value of Money: Fisher’s equation does not measure the purchasing power of money but only cash transactions, that is, the volume of business transactions of all kinds or what Fisher calls the volume of trade in the community during a year. But the purchasing power of money (or value of money) relates to transactions for the purchase of goods and services for consumption. Thus the quantity theory fails to measure the value of money. 5. Weak Theory: According to Crowther, the quantity theory is weak in many respects. First, it cannot explain ’why’ there are fluctuations in the price level in the short run. Second, it gives undue importance to the price level as if changes in prices were the most critical and important phenomenon of the economic system. Third, it places a misleading emphasis on the quantity of money as the principal cause of changes in the price level during the trade cycle. Prices may not rise despite increase in the quantity of money during depression; and they may not decline with reduction in the quantity of money during boom. Further, low prices during depression are not caused by shortage of quantity of money, and high prices during prosperity are not caused by abundance of quantity of money. Thus, “the quantity theory is at best an imperfect guide to the causes of the trade cycle in the short period” according to Crowther.
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