Question

Which is an example of an automatic stabilizer? As real GDP decreases, income tax revenues: 
A. Increase and transfer payments decrease
B. Decrease and transfer payments increase
C. And transfer payments decrease
D. And transfer payments increase

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is B. Decrease and transfer payments increase.

Explanation:

Automatic stabilizers soften cyclic fluctuations through their effect on aggregate demand. Indeed, when the economy is in a contractive or recessive phase, the negative or very reduced economic growth generates a decrease in fiscal revenues while higher unemployment increases public expenditures. Consequently, private sector disposable income decreases less than GDP does, thus limiting the contractual effect on aggregate demand, growth and employment. Therefore, the budget balance worsens in this phase by stimulating the economy and facilitating economic recovery. In the opposite sense, in times of expansion, automatic stabilizers generate higher public revenues and lower spending, which allows to increase the public surplus - or reduce the deficit - avoiding excessive expansion that could have negative effects on cycle volatility and price stability.