Economics - 0455 CIE

Fiscal Policy

Overview

Every year a government draws up a budget: a plan of what it will raise in taxes and what it will spend on schools, hospitals, defence and welfare. Whether that plan runs a deficit, a surplus or a balance shapes the whole economy, and using it deliberately to steer the economy is what economists call fiscal policy.

In this lesson you will define the government budget and its deficit and surplus, calculate the size of each, and explore the main areas of government spending, why governments spend on them and what effects that spending has. This is your first look at how governments manage the whole economy.

Objectives

  1. definitions of: - government budget - government budget deficit - government budget surplus
  2. calculations of the size of a government budget deficit/surplus
  3. main areas of government spending and the reasons for and effects of spending in these areas

Lesson Note

The government is the single biggest player in most economies. How much it taxes and how much it spends affects growth, jobs, inflation and the gap between rich and poor. Fiscal policy, the use of government spending and taxation, is one of the two great levers (the other being monetary policy) that governments pull to manage the macroeconomy. Understanding the budget is the starting point.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Fiscal Policy. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. A government budget deficit occurs when: A. revenue equals spending B. spending exceeds revenue C. revenue exceeds spending D. there is no borrowing Answer: B
  2. A government has revenue of $400bn and spending of $360bn. The budget is: A. in deficit of $40bn B. in surplus of $40bn C. balanced D. in deficit of $760bn Answer: B
  3. Which area of government spending is mainly intended to redistribute income? A. defence B. welfare benefits C. debt interest D. infrastructure Answer: B
  4. Fiscal policy refers to the use of: A. interest rates and the money supply B. government spending and taxation C. exchange rates D. trade barriers Answer: B
  5. Education is often funded by the government because it is: A. a demerit good B. a merit good that is under-provided by the market C. a public good only D. a luxury good Answer: B

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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