Impact of Volunteering and Conscription in the First World War

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Discuss the causes of economic growth (18) Economic growth is when a countries real GDP increases. It can be shown by an outwards shift of the production possibility frontier: (I drew a PPF with an outwards shift) It is one of the key macroeconomic indicators of national performance, measured by the % rate of change in real GDP (GDP adjusted for inflation). There are numerous causes of economic growth, three of which I will discuss. Firstly, the government could inject a sum of money into the economy. This fiscal stimulus could be used for improving defense, the NHS, or infrastructure (as in Spain). Say, the government spent £30 million on improving railroad links, this would directly contribute to GDP at the point of spending, but due to the operation of the multiplier the end increase to GDP will be much greater; as labour is employed to build, maintain and manage the new railroads. In return the labour receives a payment in the form of income, which could be partially spent, thus increasing GDP further. This carries a large effect, and has been proposed by the labour government to aid growth during this current recession (08/09). This method of fiscal policy will stimulate economic activity and directly cause economic growth. (AD/AS diagram, with AD shifting outwards and a caption “the effect of cutting interest rates”) Secondly, the use of monetary policy can be utilized to aid fiscal policy in demand management of the economy A cut in the rate of interest raises peoples disposable income, due to lower mortgage and loan repayments, allowing them to spend more. This will raise consumption, and therefore aggregate demand. The effect of an increase in AD is an increase in real GDP – the total output of an economy – raising living standards through higher choice of goods and services to fulfill needs and wants. However, since the power of
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