Suppose That Consumers Become Pessimistic About the Future Health of the Economy

question 160

Essay

Suppose that consumers become pessimistic about the future health of the economy. What will happen to aggregate demand and to output? What might the president and Congress have to do to keep output stable?

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Definitions:

Social Goods

Goods that benefit all members of society and whose consumption does not reduce their availability to others.

Nonrival

A characteristic of a good whereby its consumption by one individual does not reduce the amount available for consumption by others.

Strategic Behavior

Actions taken by firms or individuals with the aim of influencing the market or competitors to achieve a particular outcome or advantage.

Product Differentiation

A strategy that firms use to achieve market power. Accomplished by producing goods that differ from others in the market.