Federal Reserve: Principles Of Economics

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Running head: FEDERAL RESERVE Federal Reserve Principles of Economics ECO 212 Federal Reserve In the early days of America, goods were obtained by trading. The trading of goods for goods and services was called bartering. Bartering became an inefficient system of transaction because people usually had to find an interested party in which to trade and the value of an item was not standard. Money became the standard that was accepted to buy and sell goods, place value to the measure of a good, and a commodity that could be saved for future transactions and accumulating wealth. Money is the widely accepted and freely exchanged tool that became the measure of the American economy. Few people realize the origination of money and the problems…show more content…
Bernanke indicated that current monetary policy is directed toward easing and reversing the effects of a “weak economy.” Chairman Bernanke also credited a “deteriorating global credit boom” caused by a housing bubble in the U.S. and other countries, and worsening mortgage markets that led to “deteriorating asset values and credit conditions.” In the U.S. the financial crises was progressively worsening by the failing of some of the larger banking institutions. The Fed had to respond to the threat of a world financial collapse an event that would have severely damaged the global economy (Bernanke,…show more content…
Monetary and Fiscal Policy actions will take some time to affect measurably other markets. A decline in the real Gross Domestic Product of 6.2 percent annually in quarter 4 of 2008, was reported by the Commerce Department. Most categories of final sale products contributed to the decline. Jobless trends of November and December continued in January wherein businesses trimmed 600,000 positions. Recent indicators display worsening conditions as mid January new unemployment claims have increased. The economy has continued to decline based on the unemployment rate, heavy equity losses in housing, and the continued difficulty in obtaining credit. Manufacturing output declines of the last few months of 2008 fell even more in January to the lowest since World War II. The exports had eased the demand decline domestically during mid 2008 but that market also experienced a decline by the end months. The reduction of energy prices mid 2008 is being credited for the overall inflation price slowing. Inflation is predicted to remain under control in the near future (Bernanke, 2009). Congress have initiated steps by the passage of a fiscal Policy plan in which hope to improve the economy fast is the goal. The plan is geared to stimulate the economy by putting more money in the hands of the consumer by reducing individual taxes allowing people to retain
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