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Keynesian Economic Cycle Model
Introduction
The Keynesian Economic Cycle (KEC) is a model developed by British economist John Maynard Keynes in the 1930s to describe and analyze fluctuations in the level of economic activity in capitalistic economies. It is based on the belief that aggregate consumption and investment decisions adjust rapidly to changes in economic activity and impacts the overall economic performance.
The Keynesian Economic Cycle model is based on a number of assumptions or principles, including the idea that the purchasing power of money can be expected to vary over time. It also assumes that aggregate consumption and investment decisions will influence the level of economic activity, and that changes in the price level and interest rates will cause aggregate consumption and investment decisions to diverge from steady-state levels. Finally, it assumes that changes in the level of economic activity are small and can be contained in short-term fluctuations.
Analysis
The KEC model is composed of four phases, containing four economic variables. These variables can be broadly grouped into three categories: consumption, investment, and prices and interest rates. Each phase of the model is composed of a period of expansion, followed by a period of contraction.
During the initial phase of expansion, there is an increase in both consumption and investment, which lead to increased aggregate demand. This increased demand results in an increase in the price level, as well as an increase in the demand for real money balances. As a result, the interest rate, which is a price of money, will rise as well.
In the second phase of expansion, aggregate output and employment, as well as income and prices, continue to expand. This leads to a rise in the rate of interest and in the amount of investment. As a result, investment increases, which in turn leads to higher unemployment due to an overextension of aggregate demand for goods and services.
During the third phase of expansion, the rate of interest continues to rise. This rise has two effects on the economy. First, it makes the cost of borrowing more expensive and shifts investment away from long-term investments. Second, the increase in interest rates increases the demand for real money balances, resulting in an increase in the price level. As a result, the gain in purchasing power due to the increase in the price level is offset by the rise in the rate of interest, which is a form of inflation.
During the fourth phase of expansion, the rate of interest continues to increase, leading to an over-extension of aggregate demand and a further rise in the price level. This further rise results in a decrease in the real value of money, as the rise in the price level has outpaced the increase in the rate of interest.
Conclusion
The KEC model is a useful tool for understanding how changes in aggregate demand affects economic activity. The cyclical nature of the KEC model indicates that the economy is in a state of constant flux, and that phases of expansion and contraction are possible. Furthermore, it illustrates how changes in the rate of interest and the price level changes can cause aggregate demand to diverge from its long-term trend.