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CHAPTER 3
1.

PROBLEMS
Here we investigate a particular example of the model studied in Sections 3-2 and 3-3
with no government. Suppose the consumption function is given by C = 100 + 0.8Y,
while investment is given by I = 50.
(a)
What is the equilibrium level of income in this case?
(b)
What is the level of saving in equilibrium?
(c)
If, for some reason, output were at the level of 800, what would the level of
involuntary inventory accumulation be?
(d)
If I were to rise to 100 (we discuss what determines / in later chapters), what
would the effect be on equilibrium income?
(e)
What is the value of the multiplier, , here?

C 100 0.8y
I 50

Ans.

(a)

y AD
Y CI
Y 100 0.8 50
0.2y 150
y 750

(b)

S YC
Y 100 0.8Y

0.2Y 100
150 100
50
If Output = 800 (involuntary inventory accumulation)
y AD

800 150 0.8 800

800 150 640
10
(d)

I 50()

I
Ic
I

Ic

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50
250
1 0.8

income will increase by 250

2.

Ans.

dy
1
1

5
da I C 1 0.8
Suppose consumption behavior were to change in problem 1 so that C = 100 + 0.9Y,
while I remained at 50.
(a)
Would you expect the equilibrium level of income to be higher or lower than in
la? Calculate the new equilibrium level, Y, to verify this.
(b)
Now suppose investment increases to I = 100, just as in Id. What is the new
equilibrium income?
(c)
Does this change in investment spending have more or less of an effect on Y than
in problem 1? Why ?
(d)
Draw a diagram indicating the change in equilibrium income in this case.

(e)

Value of multiplier

(a)

C = 100 + 0.9y , I = 50
MPC increased from 0.8 to 0.9
A
y
1 C
dA
y
1 C
150
Equilibrium income y
1500
1 0.9

(b)

I = 100
I 50

A
I

1 C 1 C

50
500
1 0.9

New equilibrium income = 1500 + 500 = 2000

3.

This problem relates to the so-called paradox of thrift. Suppose that I = I0 and that
C C cY .
(a)
Draw a diagram where income is measured on the horizontal axis and investment
and saving on the vertical axis,

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(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

What is the saving function, that is, the function that shows how saving is related
to income?
Draw the investment function which is flat. Explain why the intersection of the
saving and investment function gives us the equilibrium level of output.
Suppose individuals want to save more at every level of income. Show, using a
figure like Figure 3-4, how the saving function is shifted.
What effect does the increased desire to save have on the new equilibrium level of
saving? Explain the paradox.

I I0 ,C C CY

Ans.

(b)

S yC
y (C Cyd)

y (C C(y TA Ty TR)
y C Cy CTA CTy CTR
S A (1 C Ct)y
A (1 C(1 t))y
C+I=C+S

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(c)

We know that equilibrium is established

When

AD = AS
C+I=C+S
I=S

Thus, intersection of the saving and investment function gives us the equilibrium
level of output.

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(d)

When individuals want to save more at every level of income, the saving income
shifts upwards.

(e)

Autonomous investment

induced investment

The paradox of thrift tells us that the desire to save more in the present leads to a reduced
amount of savings in the future.
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Autonomous investment:
When the savings of the people increase, the savings curve shifts upwards, from s to sas
savings increase, consumption decreases and thus income also decreases.
Equilibrium, savings equal autonomous investment which is constant, the level of saving
in the economy remains the same in this case but the level of income decreases.
Induced investment:
As the saving increase, the saving curve shifts upward to s.
At s1curve, for equilibrium I = S. Equilibrium is attained at E1, where the amount of
equilibrium, saving and the national income both have decreased.
4.

Now let us look at a model that is an example of the one presented in Sections 3-4 and 35: that is, it includes government purchases, taxes, and transfers. It has the same features
as the one in problems 1 and 2 except that it also has a government. Thus, suppose
consumption is given by C = 100 + 0.8yd and that I = 50, while fiscal policy is
summarized by G = 200, TR = 62.5, and t = 0.25.
(a)
What is the equilibrium level of income in this more complete model?
(b)
What is the value of the new multiplier, ac? Why is this less than the multiplier in
problem 1(e)?

C 100 0.8yd
I 50,G 200,TR 6.25, t 0.25

Ans.

(a)

(b)

y = AD
y C CYd I G
y = 100 + 0.8 (y - 0.25y + 62.5) + 50 + 200
y = 350 + 0.6y + 50
0.4y = 400
y = 1000
y

A
1 C(1 t)

dy
1

dA 1 C(1 t)

1
1

1 0.8(1 0.25) 0.4

2.5

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5.

Using the same model as in problem 4, determine the following:

(a)
What is the value of the budget surplus, BS, when I= 50?
(b)
What is BS when I increases to 100?
(c)
What accounts for the change in BS between 5b and 5a?
(d)
Assuming that the full-employment level of income, Y*, is 1,200, what is the fullemployment budget surplus BS* when I = 50? 100? (Be careful.)
(e)
What is BS* if I = 50 and G = 250. with Y* still equal to 1,200?
(f)
Explain why we use BS* rather than simply BS to measure the direction of fiscal
policy.

Ans.

I = 50
BS TA ty G TR
BS 0.25y 200 62.5
0.25 1000 262.5
250 262.5

(a)

12.5
Budget Deficit

I 50
y 50 2.5 125
New y1 = 1125
BS = 0.25 1125 - 262.5
= 18.75 Budget surplus

(b)

When

(d)

y*= 1200
When I = 50
BS* ty* G TR
0.25 1200 200 62.5
300 262.5
37.5

(e)
(f)

We use full employment budget surplus rather than the simple budget surplus
because the simple budget suffers a serious defect as a measure of the direction of
fiscal policy. The defect is that the surplus can change because of a change in
autonomous private spending.
Thus an increase in the budget deficit does not necessary mean that the govt. has
changed its policy.

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6.

Suppose we expand our model to take account of the fact that transfer payments, TR, do
depend on the level of income, Y. When income is high, transfer payments such as
unemployment benefits will fall. Conversely, when income is low, unemployment is high
and so are unemployment benefits. We can incorporate this into our model by writing
transfers as TR TR bY , b > 0. Remember that equilibrium income is derived as the
solution to Y = C + I + G = cYD + I + G. where YD = Y + TR - TA is disposable
income.
(a)
Derive the expression for v0 in this case, just as equation (22) was derived in the
text.
(b)
What is the new multiplier?
(c)
Why is the new multiplier less than the standard one, G ?
(d)
How does the change in the multiplier relate to the concept of automatic
stabilizers?

Ans.

(a)

TR TR by , b > 0

y = AD
y=C+I+G
y c cyd I G
y c c(y TA ty TR by)
y c cy cTA c y cTR cby
y cy cty cby A
y[1 c(1 t b)] A
y

(b)
(c)

(d)

A
1 c(1 t b)

1
1 c(1 t b)
The multiplier is less than the standard one because of the presence of b in the
denominator.
1
1
The standard
, which is always greater than ,
1 c(1 t)
1 c(1 t b)
An automatic stabilizer is any mechanism in the economy that reduces the amount
by which output changes in response to a change in autonomous demand.
If the multiplier is small, it means that the income is changing less than it
would have changed when the multiplier was large.
New multiplier ,

1
reduces the amount by which the
1 c(1 t b)
income changes due to a change in the autonomous components of demand.
The use of the new multiplier ,

Thus the presence of b in the multiplier plays the role of an automatic stabilizer.
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7.

Now we look at the role taxes play in determining equilibrium income. Suppose we have
an economy of the type in Sections 3-4 and 3-5, described by the following functions:
C = 50 + 0.8YD
I 70
G = 200
TR 100
t = 0.20
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Ans.

Calculate the equilibrium level of income and the multiplier in this model.
Calculate also the budget surplus, BS.
Suppose that t increases to 0.25. What is the new equilibrium income? The new
multiplier?
Calculate the change in the budget surplus. Would you expect the change in the
surplus to be more or less if c = 0.9 rather than 0.8?
Can you explain why the multiplier is 1 when t = 1?
C = 50 + 0.8yd
I 70 , G 200 , TR 100 , t = 0.20

(a)

At equilibrium, y = AD
y=C+I+G
y c cyd I G
y = 50 + 0.8 (y - 0.20y + 100) + 70 + 200
y = 320 + 0.644 + 80
0.36y = 400
y =1111.11

1
1
1

1 c(1 t) 1 0.8(1 0.20) 1 0.8 0.8

1
2.77
0.36
(b)

BS TA ty G TR

= 0.20 1111.11 200 100

= (-) 77 - 778 (Budget deficit)

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(c)

t increases 0.25
New multiplier =

1
1 0.8(1 0.25

New equilibrium income =

A
420

1 c(1 t) 1 0.8(1 0.25)

=1050

1 c
BS y0 t

1 c(1 t1 )

(d)

1 0.8
1111.11 0.05

1 0.8(1 0.25)
(e)

When t = 1,

8.

1
1

1
1 c(1 t) 1 0.8(1 1)

Suppose the economy is operating at equilibrium, with Y0 = 1,000. If the government

undertakes a fiscal change so that the tax rate t increases by 0.05 and government
spending increases by 50, will the budget surplus go up or down? Why?

Ans.

y0 =1,000
t increases by 0.05, t 0.05
Govt. spending increases by 50, G 50
G 5%of 40

We know that when G increases, y also increases

Thus, the increase in tax (5% of y1) is more than the increase in G (5% of 40)
The budget surplus will increase.
9.

Suppose Congress decides to reduce transfer payments (such as welfare) but to increase
government purchases of goods and services by an equal amount. That is, it undertakes a
change in fiscal policy such that G TR .
(a)

(b)
(c)

Would you expect equilibrium income to rise or fall as a result of this change?
Why? Check your answer with the following example: Suppose that initially,
c = 0.8, t = 0.25, and Y0 = 600. Now let G = 10 and TR = - 10.
Find the change in equilibrium income, Y0 .
What is the change in the budget surplus, BS? Why has BS changed?

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G TR

Ans.
(a)

dy

dy

dA
1 c(1 t)
G c TR TR c TR

1 c(1 t)
1 c(1 t)
TR(c 1)
1 c(1 t)

Transfer are being reduced, equilibrium income will also decrease.

C = 0.8, t = 0.25, y0 = 600
G 10 , TR 10
dy

10(0.8 1)
1 0.8(1 0.25)

2
5
0.4

(b)

dy

(c)

BS t

TR(c 1)
1 c(1 t)

= 0.25

(10)(0.8 1)
1 0.8(1 0.25)

= 0.25 5
= 1.25

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ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
1.

Briefly explain in words the effect of an increase in the marginal propensity to save
on the size of the expenditure multiplier and the level of equilibrium income.
If the marginal propensity to save (s = 1 - c) rises, then the marginal propensity to
consume (c) falls. Therefore one extra dollar in income earned will now affect
consumption by less than before this reduction in c. But if the marginal propensity to save
is larger, then the size of the expenditure multiplier will be smaller, since the expenditure
multiplier is defined as 1/(1 - c) = 1/s. We should expect that when people start to save a
larger portion of their income, spending on consumption goods will decrease, leading to a
decline in equilibrium income.

2.

Comment on the following statement:

When aggregate demand falls below the current output level, an unintended
inventory accumulation occurs and the economy is no longer in an equilibrium.
When aggregate demand falls below the equilibrium output level, actual production
exceeds desired spending. Therefore firms see an unwanted accumulation in their
inventories, and they respond by reducing their production level. This leads to a decrease
in the level of output up to the point where the new and lower level of desired spending is
again equal to the level of actual output. In other words, in the expenditure sector, the
adjustment from one equilibrium to the next is based on unintended inventory changes,
until the economy eventually reaches a new equilibrium at another output level.

3.

Assume a model without any government involvement or external trade, in which

the only two components of aggregate demand are consumption (C) and investment
(I). Show that in this case the equilibrium condition Y = C + I is equivalent to the
equilibrium condition S = I.
We can derive the equilibrium value of output by setting actual output equal to intended
spending, that is, Y = C + I

Y = C0 + cY +I0 (1 - c)Y = C0 + I0 Y = [1/(1 - c)] (C0 + I0) = [1/(1 - c)]A0.

But since S = YD - C = Y - [C0 + cY] = - C0 + (1 - c)Y,
we can derive the same result by setting intended withdrawals equal to intended
injections, that is, S = I0

- C0 + (1 - c)Y = I0 (1 - c)Y = C0 + I0

Y - [1/(1 - c)](C0 + I0) = [1/(1 - c)]A0.

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4.

For a simple model of the expenditure sector without any government involvement,
derive the multiplier in terms of the marginal propensity to save (s) rather than the
marginal propensity to consume (c). Does this formula still hold when the
government enters the picture and levies an income tax?
The expenditure multiplier for a model without any government involvement was derived
as = 1/(1 - c).
But since the marginal propensity to save is s = (1 - c), the multiplier now becomes
= 1/(1 - c) = 1/s.

In the text, we have also seen that, if the government enters the picture and levies an
income tax, then the simple expenditure multiplier changes to
= 1/[1 - c(1 - t)] = 1/(1 c).

By substituting s = (1 - c), this equation can be easily manipulated, to get

= 1/[1 - c + ct] = 1/[s + (1 - s)t] = 1/s'. .

Just as s = (1 - c), we can say that s' = (1 - c'), since

s' = (1 - c') = 1 - c(1 - t) = 1 - c + ct = s + (1 - s)t.
This can also be derived in another way:
S = YD - C = YD - (C0 + cYD) = - C0 + (1 - c)YD = - C0 + sYD
If we assume for simplicity that TR = 0 and NX = 0 and TA = tY + TA0, we can derive
the equilibrium level of output by setting intended withdrawals equal to intended
spending, that is,
S + TA = I + G - C0 + sYD + TA = I0 + G0

- C0 + s(Y - TA) + TA = I0 + G0
s(Y - tY - TA0) + tY + TA0 = C0 + I0 + G0
[s + (l - s)t]Y = C0 + I0 + G0 - (1 - s)TA0
By setting C0 + I0 + G0 - (1 - s)TA0 = A0, we get
[s + (1 - s)t]Y = A0 Y - (1/[s + (1 - s)t]) A0 = (1/s')A0.

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5.

Using a simple model of the expenditure sector without any government

involvement, explain the paradox of thrift that asserts that an increased desire to
save may not lead to an increase in actual saving.
The paradox of thrift occurs because a higher level of saving can only be achieved if the
level of consumption is lowered. But a lower level of spending sends the economy into a
recession and a new equilibrium is reached at a lower level of output. In the end, the
increase in autonomous saving is exactly offset by the decrease in induced saving due to
the lower income level. In other words, the economy originally is in equilibrium when
S = I0. Since the level of autonomous investment (I0) has not changed, the level of private
saving at the new equilibrium income level must again equal I0, and can therefore not
change.
This can also be derived mathematically. An increase in autonomous saving is equivalent
to a decrease in autonomous consumption, that is, S0 = - C0, so the effect on
equilibrium income is

Y = [1/(1 - c)] (- C0).

In this simple framework saving is defined as S = Y - C

S = Y- (C0 + cY) - C0 + (1 - c)Y.

Therefore the overall effect on total saving is

S = - (- C0) + (1 - c) Y = + C0 + (1 - c)[1/(1- c)](- C0) = + C0 - C0 = 0.

6.

The balanced budget theorem states that the government can stimulate the economy
without increasing the budget deficit if an increase in government purchases (G) is
financed by an equivalent increase in taxes (TA). Show that this is true for a simple
model of the expenditure sector without any income taxes.
If taxes and government purchases are increased by the same amount, then the change in
the budget surplus can be calculated as

BS = TA0 - G = 0, since TA0 = G.

The resulting change in national income is

Y = C + G - c( YD) + G = c( Y - TA0) + G = c( Y) - c( TA0) + G

Y = c( Y) + (1 - c) ( G) since TA0 = G.
Solving for Y, we get
(1 - c) ( Y) = (1 - c) ( G) Y = G.
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In this case, the increase in output (Y) is exactly of the same magnitude as the increase in
government purchases (G). This occurs since the decrease in the level of consumption
due to the lump sum tax has exactly been offset by the increase in the level of
consumption caused by the increase in income.
7.

In an effort to stimulate the economy in 1976, President Ford asked Congress for a
$20 billion tax cut in combination with a $20 billion cut in government purchases.
Do you consider this a good policy proposal? Why or why not?
This was not a good policy proposal. According to the balanced budget theorem, a
decrease in government purchases and taxes of equal magnitude will decrease rather than
increase national income. Therefore the intended result, that is, an increase in economic
activity, will not be achieved.

8.

An increase in government purchases always pays for itself, as it raises national

income and hence the government's tax revenues. Comment on this statement.
An increase in government purchases increases the budget deficit. If we assume a model
of the expenditure sector with income taxes, the multiplier equals [1/(1 - c')] with
c' = c (1 - t). The change in the budget surplus that arises from a change in government
purchases can be calculated as

BS = t( Y) - G = t[1/(1 - c')] ( G) - G = {[t - 1 + c - (ct)]/[l - c + (ct)]}( G)

= - {[(1 - c) (1 - t)]/(1 - c + ct]}( G) < 0, sine G > 0, c < 1 and t < 1.
Therefore, if government purchases are increased, the budget surplus will decrease.
9.

In a simple model of the expenditure sector with a positive income tax rate (t), does
a decrease in autonomous investment (I0) affect the budget surplus? Why or why
not?
A decrease in autonomous investment (I0) has a multiplier effect so national income will
decrease. As a result, income tax revenues will decrease, and the budget surplus will
decrease as shown below:

BS = t( Y) = t ( I0) < 0 since I0 < 0

10.

(a)

(b)

Assume the following model of the expenditure sector:

Sp = C I + G + NX
C = 420 + (4/S)YD YD = Y - TA + TR
TRo = 100
Io = 160
Go = 180

TA = (1/6)Y
NX0 = - 40

If the government would like to increase the equilibrium level of output (Y) to the
full-employment level Y* = 2,700, by how much should government purchases (G)
be changed?
Assume we want to reach Y = 2,700 by changing government transfer payments
(TR) instead. By how much should TR be changed?

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(c)

(d)

(a).

Assume you increase both government purchases (G) and taxes (TA) by the same
lump sum of G = TA0 = + 300. Would this sufficient to reach the fullemployment level of output at Y* = 2,700? Why or why not?
Briefly explain in words how a decrease in the marginal propensity to save would
affect the size of the expenditure multiplier.
Sp = C + I + G + NX = 420 + (4/5) [Y - (1/6)Y + 100] + 160 + 180 40
= 720 + (4/5) (5/6)Y + 80 = 800 + (2/3)Y
From Y = Sp Y = 800 + (2/3)Y (1/3)Y = 800 Y = 3*800 - 2,400

the expenditure multiplier is = 3

From Y = ( A0) 300 = 3( A0) A0 = 100
Thus government purchases should be changed by G = A0 = 100.
(b)

Since A0 = 100 and A0 = c( TR0) 100 = (4/5)( TR0) TR0 - 125.

(c)

This is a model with income taxes, so the balanced budget theorem does not apply in its
strictest form, which states that an increase in government purchases and taxes by a given
lump-sum amount increases national income by that same amount, leaving the budget
surplus unchanged. In this model, total tax revenues actually increase by more than 300,
since taxes are initially increased by a lump sum of 300. However, income taxes then also
change due to the change in the income level. Therefore income does not increase by
Y - 300, as we can see below.

Y - ( G) + [(- c) ( TA0) = 3*300 + 3* [- (4/5)300] - 900 - 720 = 180

This change in fiscal policy will increase income by only Y = 180, that is, from Y0 =
2,400 to Y1 = 2,580, and we therefore will be unable to reach Y* = 2,700.
(d)

If the marginal propensity to save s = (1 - c) decreases, people spend a larger portion of

their additional disposable income, that is, the marginal propensity to consume (c) and
the slope of the [C + I + G + NX] line increase. This will lead to an increase in the
expenditure multiplier and the level of equilibrium income.

11.

Assume a model with income taxes similar to the model in Problem 10 above. This
time, however, you have only limited information about the model, that is, you only
know that the marginal propensity to consume out of disposable income is c = 0.75,
and that total autonomous spending is A0 = 900, such that Sp = A0 + c'Y = 900 + c'Y.
You also know that you can reach the full-employment level of output at Y = 3,150
by increasing government transfers by a lump sum of TR = 200.

(a)

What is the current equilibrium level of output?

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(b)
(c)

(a).

Is it possible to determine the size of the expenditure multiplier with the information
you have, and if so, how?
Assume, instead of changing transfer payments, the government wants to change
the income tax rate (t) in order to reach the full-employment level of income Y* =
3,150. How would this change in the tax rate affect the size of the expenditure
multiplier?
If transfer payments are changed by a lump sum TR = 200, then total autonomous
spending is changed by
A = c( TR) = (0.75) 200 = 150.
Therefore the intended spending line, that is, the [C + I + G + NX] line changes to
Sp1 = 1,050 + c'Y.
For each model of the expenditure sector we can derive the equilibrium level of income
by using the following equation:
Y* = A0 = [1/1 c)]A0
In this case, we have
3,150 = (1,050) the expenditure multiplier is = 3.
If we now change autonomous spending in this model by A = 150, then the
equilibrium, level of income will have to change by.

Y = a( A) Y = 3*150 = 450.
Therefore the old equilibrium level of income before this change must have been
Y = 3,150 - 450 = 2,700.
(b)

From our work above we can see that the size of the expenditure multiplier is = 3.

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(c)

If we change the tax rate but leave autonomous spending alone, then the new [C + I + G
+ NX] line is of the form Sp2 = 900 + c2Y. This new intended spending line intersects the
45-degree line at the desired equilibrium income level of Y = 3,150. This allows us to
derive the slope of the new intended spending line from the graph below as follows:
c2 = rise/run = (3,150 - 900)/(3,150) = 2,250/3,150 = 5/7.
From Y = Sp2 Y = 900 + (5/7) Y (2/7)Y = 900
Y = (7/2)900 = (3.5)900 = 3,150.
The new value of the multiplier is 1 = 3.5

12.

Assume you have the following model of the expenditure sector:

Sp = C + I + G + NX
C = 400 + (0.8)YD
I0 = 200
G = 300 + (0.1)(Y* - Y)
YD = Y - TA + TR
NX0 = - 40
TA = (0.25) Y TR0 = 50

(a)
(b)

What is the size of the output gap if potential output is at Y* = 3,000?

By how much would investment (I0) have to change to reach equilibrium at Y* =
3,000, and how does this change affect the budget surplus?
From the model above you can see that government purchases (G) are countercyclical, that is, G is increased as national income decreases. If you compare this
specification of G with one that has a constant level of government spending (for
example, G0 = 300), how would the value of the expenditure multiplier differ?
Assume the equation for net exports changes from NX0 = - 40 to NX1 = - 40 - mY.
How would this affect expenditure multiplier, if we assume that 0 < m < 1?

(c)

(d)

(a)

Sp = 400 + (0.8)YD + 200 + 300 + (0.1 )(3,000 - Y) - 40

= 1,160 + (0.8) (Y - (0.25)Y + 50) - (0.1)Y
= 1,200 + [(0.8)(0.75) - (0.1)]Y = 1,200 + (0.5) Y
Y = Sp Y = 1,200 + (0.5)Y (0.5)Y = 1,200 Y = 2*1,200 = 2,400
The output gap is Y* - Y = 3,000 - 2,400 = 600.

(b)

From Y = (mult.) ( A) 600 - 2( I) I = 300

BuS = TA - TR - G = (0.25)(2,400) - 50 - [300 + (0.1)(600)] = 600 - 50 - 300 - 60 = 190
BuS* = (0.25)(3,000) - 50 - 300 + 0 = 750 - 350 = 400.
Therefore, the budget surplus increases by BuS = 210.

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(c)

If government purchases are used as a stabilization tool, the size of the expenditure
multiplier should be lower than if the level of government spending is fixed. In the model
of the expenditure sector above, the slope of the [C + I + G + NX] line is c1 = 0.5, and
therefore the size of the expenditure multiplier is = 1/(0.5) = 2. However, if
government purchases are defined as G0 = 300 instead, the slope of the [C + I + G + NX]
line changes to c2 = 0.6 and the size of the expenditure multiplier changes to 2 = 1/(0.4)
= 2.5.

(d)

With this change, net exports decrease as national income increases. This additional
leakage implies that the size of the multiplier will decrease. In the model above, the slope
of the [C + I + G + NX] line decreases from c1 = (0.5) to c3 = (0.5) - m, and the
expenditure multiplier decreases from 1/[1 - (0.5)] to 1/[1 - (0.5) + m]. Therefore, if m =
0.14, then the expenditure multiplier decreases from = 1/(0.5) = 2 to 3 = 1/(0.64) =
1.5625.

13.

Assume you have the following model of the expenditure sector:

Sp = C + I + G + NX
C = Co + cYD YD = Y - TA + TR
TA = TA0
TR = TR*
I = I0
G = G0
NX = NX0

(a)

If a change in income by Y = - 800 leads to a change in savings by S = - 160,

what is the size of the expenditure multiplier?
If a change in taxes by TA = - 400 leads to an change in income by Y = + 1,200,
how large is the marginal propensity to save?
If a change in exports by NX = - 200 is accompanied by a change in consumption
by C = - 800, what is the size of the expenditure multiplier?

(b)
(c)

The expenditure multiplier for such a simple model can be calculated as: = 1/(1 - c)
(a)

( S)/( Y) = s = 1 - c = (-160)/(-800) = 02 1/(1 - c) = 1 /(0.2) = 5

the multiplier is a = 5.

(b)

From ( Y) = [-c( TA0)] ( Y)/( TA0) = (-c) = (- c)/(1 - c)

(1,200)/(- 400) = - 3 = (- c)/(1 - c) - 3(1 - c) = - c c = 3/4

mps = s = 1 - c - 1/4 = 0.25.
(c)

Y - C + NX = - 800 + (- 200) = - 1,000

c = ( C)/( Y) = (- 800)/(- 1,000) = 0.8 multiplier = = 1/1(1 c) = 1/(0.2) = 5

14.

Explain why the income tax system, the Social Security system, and unemployment
insurance are considered automatic stabilizers.
Income taxation, unemployment benefits, and the Social Security system are often called
automatic stabilizers because they reduce the magnitude by which the level of

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equilibrium output changes as a result of a change in aggregate demand. These stabilizers
are a part of the structure of the economy and therefore work even though no explicit
government action is undertaken. For example, when the economy enters a recession, the
level of output declines and the unemployment rate increases. If there was no
unemployment insurance program in place, people out of work would no longer have any
disposable income and consumption would drop significantly. However, since
unemployed workers receive unemployment compensation, consumption and aggregate
demand do not decrease as much. Similarly, as people retire, their income from work
drops, but then they receive Social Security benefits, which means that their disposable
income does not decline by as much and therefore they do not have to reduce
consumption by as much.
15.

A tax cut will increase national income and will therefore always decrease the
budget deficit. Comment on this statement.
While a tax cut serves to simulate national income, not all of the increase in income is
spent, nor is it completely taxed away. The budget deficit will increase since overall tax
revenue will fall. This can be shown with the help of a simple model of the expenditure
sector that has income taxation:
From BS = TA - G - TR = tY + TA0 - G -TR

ABS = t( Y) + TA0 = t( 1,)(- c)( TA0) + TA0

= t[1/(1 - c + ct)] (- c) ( TA0) + TA0 = ([- ct/(1 - c + ct)] + 1)( TA0)
= ([- ct + 1 - c + ct]/[1 - c + ct])( TA0)
= [(1 - c)/(1 c + ct)]( TA0) < 0, since c < 1 and TA0 < 0.
In other words, a decrease in lump sum taxes will increase the budget deficit, not
decrease it.
16.

Assume a model of the expenditure sector with income taxes, in which people who
pay taxes, have a higher marginal propensity to consume than people who receive
government transfer payments. The consumption function is thus of the following
form: C = C0 + c(Y - TA) + dTR, with c < d.

(a)

What will happen to the equilibrium level of income and the budget surplus if
government purchases and taxes are both reduced by the same lump sum amount?
What will happen to the equilibrium level of income and the budget surplus if
government transfers are reduced by the same lump sum amount as taxes?

(b)

(a).

Assume that TA0 - G = -100

Y = [(- c)/(1 - c')( TA0) + [1/(1 - c')]( G) = [(1 - c)/(1 - c')](- 100) < 0), that is,
national income (Y) will decrease since c < J and c' = c(l -1).

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BS = t( Y) + TA0 - G = t( Y) < 0 since TA0 = G and Y < 0

The budget surplus will decrease by the loss in income tax revenue.
(b).

Assume that TA0 = TR0 = - 100

Y = [(- c)/(1 - c')]( TA0) + [d/(1 - c')][ TR0) = [(d - c)/(l - c')](-100) < 0, that is,
national income will increase since c < d and c' = c(1 - t).
BS = t( Y) + TA0 - TR0 = t( Y) < 0 since TA0 = TR0 and ( Y) < 0
The budget surplus will decrease.
17.

Assume a simple model of the expenditure sector with a positive income tax rate (t).
Show mathematically how an increase in lump sum taxes (TA0) would affect the budget
surplus.
Assume the following model of the expenditure sector:
Sp = C + I + G + NX

I = I0

C = C0 + cYD

G = G0

YD = Y - TA + TR

NX = NX0

TA = TA0 + tY

BS = TA - G - TR

TR = TR0
From Y = Sp Y = C0 + c(Y - TA0 - tY + TR0) + I0 + G0 + NX0
Y = C0 - cTA0 + cTR0 + I0 + G0 + NX0 + c(1 - t) Y = A0 + c'Y
Y = [1/(1 - c')]A0

with c' = c (1 - t) and A0 = C0 - cTA0 + cTR0 + I0 + G0 + NX0

Thus Y = [1/(1 - c')]( A0) = [1/(1 - c')][(- c) ( TA0)]

From BS = TA - G - TR = tY + TA0 - G - TR
and BS - t( Y) + ( TA0) - {[t(- c)]/(l - c') + 1}( TA0)
= t[1/(1 - c + ct)](- c)( TA0) + TA0 = ([- ct/(1 - c + ct)] + 1)( TA0)
= ([- ct + 1 - c + ct]/[1 - c + ct])( TA0) = [(1 - c) /(1 - c + ct)]( TA0) > 0, since c < 1
In other words, a lump sum tax increase would increase the budget surplus.
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18.

Is the size of the actual budget surplus always a good measure for determining fiscal
policy? What about the size of the full-employment budget surplus?
The actual budget surplus has a cyclical and a structural component. The cyclical
component of the budget surplus changes with changes in the level of income whether or
not any fiscal policy measure is implemented. This implies that the actual budget surplus
also changes with changes in income and is therefore not a very good measure for
assessing fiscal policy. The structural (full-employment) budget surplus is calculated
under the assumption that the economy is at full-employment. It changes only with a
change in fiscal policy and' is therefore a much better measure for fiscal policy than the
actual budget surplus. One should keep in mind, however, that the balanced budget
theorem implies that the government can stimulate national income by an equivalent and
simultaneous increase in taxes and government purchases without affecting the actual or
the full-employment budget surplus. In addition, estimates of the true value of the fullemployment budget surplus largely depend on the assumptions that lead to the calculation
of the full-employment output level.

19.

True or false? Why?

The higher the marginal propensity to import, the lower the size of the multiplier.
True. Imports represent a leakage out of the income flow. An increase in autonomous
spending will raise income and we will see the usual multiplier effect. However, if
imports are positively related to income, this effect is reduced since higher imports
reduce the level of domestic demand. (Assume for simplicity that TA = TR = 0 in both
cases below.)
Closed Economy Model
Sp = C + I + G
C = C0 + cY
G = G0
I = I0

Open Economy Model

Sp = C + I + G + NX
C = C0 + cY
G = G0
I = I0
NX = NX0 - mY with 0 < m < 1

From Y = Sp
Y = (C0 + I0 + G0) + cY

Y = (C0+ I0 + G0 + NX0) + (c - m)Y

Y = A0 + cY

Y = A0 + (c - m)Y

Y = [1/(1 - c)]A0

Y = [1/(1 - c + m)]A0

[1/(1 - c)]

Therefore the multiplier is defined as

[1/(1 - c + m)]

Clearly the open economy multiplier is smaller than the closed economy multiplier. This
is because leakages reduce demand. If income taxes were included in these models, they
too would reduce the multipliers, as income taxes represent another leakage from the
income flow.
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