Question

Robert Necco and Nelson Packard are economists at Economic Research Associates. ERA asks Necco and Packard for their opinions about the effects of fiscal policy on real GDP for an economy currently experiencing a recession. Necco states that real GDP is likely to increase if both government spending and taxes are increased by the same amount. Packard states that if both government spending and taxes are increased by the same amount, there is no expected net effect on real GDP.
Regarding the statements made by Necco and Packard:
Necco Packard
A) Correct Correct
B) Correct Incorrect
C) Incorrect Incorrect
D) Incorrect Correct

Answer 1

Answer: B) Correct Incorrect

Explanation:

Whilst it was generally believed at some point that raising taxes and Government Spending by the same amount would have no effect, research has disproven this thought.

This is because it was shown that an increase in Government Spending leads to a larger increase in GDP than an increase in taxes reduces it.

This is because when the Government spends money, the Multiplier effect of Government Spending is always 1 more than that of the Taxes therefore raising taxes and spending by the same amounts still increases the Real GDP because Government Spending will create more income than taxes will take.

Necco is right, Packard is wrong.