Economic Growth

Unit 5 Lesson 4 Activity 47

Sunders, Philip. Introduction to Macroeconomics Student Workbook. 18th ed. Bloomington. IN: 1998Advanced Placement Economics Teacher Resource Manual. National Council on Economic Education, New York, N.Y

Objectives

Describe long-term growth trends In the United States Explain growth accounting Explain that growth accounting shows that to achieve

increased economic growth, economies must increase the growth, economies must increase growth rate of capital stock or increase technological development.

Explain how policy can help achieve increases in the growth rate of the capital stock and increases in technology development.

Relate economic growth to the long-run aggregate supply curve and the production possibilities curve.

Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn the main sources of long-term economic or real GDP growth and the policies that governments might use to increase economic growth.

You should be aware that there is a difference between the short-term fluctuations in real GDP that result from the business cycle and the long-run growth in real GDP discussed in this lesson.

The average growth rate in per capita real GDP has been about 2% a year for the last four decades.However, the annual rate of growth

has varied considerable during this same periods.

The increase in the average standard of living represented by the increase in per capita real GDP is important.

The distribution of the increase in real GDP is also important.

In order for growth to occur, economic agents – producers and consumers – must have the appropriate incentives.

Growth accounting focuses on three sources of long-run economic growth: Supply of labor Supply of capital Level of technology

Increases in any one of these elements will increase real GDP.

The growth in the supply of labor is primarily the population growth rate.

Increase in capital or in technology increase labor productivity and thus increase real GDP.

Activity 47: Economic Growth and the Determinants of Productive Capacity

The limit of an economy’s ability to produce real goods and services is set by the quantity an quality of its basic productive resources and technology.

At any given moment, an economy’s total productive capacity may be fixed, but over time an economy can increase (or decrease) its capacity to produce real goods and services by increasing (or decreasing) the quantity and/or the quality of its productive resources.

An economy’s productive resources can be classified in several different ways. Some of our resources are physical or tangible: things that we can see, count, weigh or

measure.

Other resources that are useful in the production process are intangible.

Intangible resources are more difficult to identify and measure, but no less important than tangible resources.

At any given time, an economy’s productive capacity is determined by the quantity and quality of its: Human Resources: labor resources, but not

all labor is equal. Different people have different skills, based on their investment in human capital. Human capital (education and skill level) and entrepreneurship are difficult to measure.

Natural Resources: the gifts of nature that are useful in producing goods and services. There are fixed, exhaustible and renewable natural resources.

Capital Goods: the plant, equipment and machinery needed to make other goods and services

Technological Progress: when production becomes more efficient, producing more output without using any more inputs; additional capital or labor

Public Policy: the basic social, economic, legal and political values and institutions supported by a society that either aid or hinder efficient markets and the production of goods and services.

In practice, economic growth is usually measured by changes in real GDP or, better still, changes in real GDP per capita; gross domestic product per person adjusted for changes in prices.

The rate of economic growth is the average annual percentage change in real GDP per capita.

Economists use real GDP per capita to measure living standards across time and between countries.

To summarize, economic growth occurs because an economy experiences technical progress, increased investments in physical capital and increased investments in human capital.

In the most fundamental sense, economic growth is concerned with increasing an economy’s total productive capacity at full employment.

Part A: Measuring Economic Growth in Hamilton Country and Jefferson County

1. Using Fig. 47.1 as a reference, fill out the table in Fig. 47.2 thru 47.4

1 $2.1 billion 70,000 $500,000 15

2 2.5 billion 80,000 525,000 16

3 2.8 billion 90,000 600,000 17

4 2.7 billion 86,000 650,000 18

YearHamilton Real GDP

Jefferson Real GDP

Jefferson Population

Hamilton Population

Fig. 47.2

From Year 1 to Year 2    

From Year 2 to Year 3    

From Year 3 to Year4    

Hamilton

% Change in Real GDP

Jefferson

% Change in Real GDP

Note: (Year – Base Yr / Base Yr)

2.5 – 2.1 = 4 4 / 2.1 = 19%

525,000 – 500,000 = 25,000/500,000 = 5%

2.8 – 2.5 = 3 3 / 2.5 = 12%

600,000 – 525,000 = 75,000/525,000 = 14.3%

2.7 – 2.8 = -0.1 -0.1 / 2.8 = -3.6%

650,000 – 600,000 = 50,000/600,000 = 8.3%

Fig. 47.3

Hamilton

Per Capita Real GDP

Jefferson

Per Capita Real GDP

2.1 billion / 70,000 = 30,000 500,000 / 15 = 33,333.33

2.5 billion / 80,000 = 31,250

525,000 / 16 = 32,812.50

2.8 billion / 90,000 = 31,111

600,000 / 17 = 35,294.12

1    

2    

3    

4    2.7 billion / 86,000 = 31,395

650,000 / 18 = 36,111.11

Note: (Real GDP/Population = Per Capita Real GDP)

From Year 1 to Year 2    

From Year 2 to Year 3    

From Year 3 to Year4    

Fig. 47.4

Hamilton

% Change in Per Capita Real GDP

Jefferson

% Change in Per Capita Real GDP

31,250 – 30,000 = 1,250/30,000 = 4.17%

32,812.50 – 33,333.33 = -520.83/ 33,333.33 = -1.6%

31,111 – 31,250 = -139 /31,250 = -0.44%

35,294.12– 32,812.50 = 2481.64/ 32,812.50 = -7.56%

31,395 – 31,111 = 284 / 31,111 = -0.91%

36,111.11 – 35,294.12 = 816.99/ 35,294.12 = -2.31%

Note: (Year – Base Yr / Base Yr)

2. When did Hamilton County experience the largest growth in real GDP? _____________________________

In per capita GDP? _______________

Are these growth rates different? Explain.

From Yr. 1 to Yr. 2

From Yr. 1 to Yr. 2

Both increased the most from Yr. 1 to Yr. 2. However, per capita real GDP increased by less than real GDP because of population growth.

3. When did Jefferson County experience the largest growth in real GDP? ___________________

In per capita GDP? _____________

Are these growth rates different? Explain.

From Yr. 2 to Yr. 3

From Yr. 2 to Yr. 3

The per capita growth rate is smaller than the GDP growth rate because the population has increased.

4. The residents of Hamilton country believe they live in a wealthier community than small rural Jefferson County. Based on these numbers, do they? Explain.

No. Real GDP per capita is larger in Jefferson County than in Hamilton County.

Levels of Growth

How can these levels of growth be stimulated? Increasing savings will increase the supply of

loanable funds, decrease interest rates and spur investment or increases in the capital stock.

• In the United States, tax incentives are the principal method to increase savings.

• IRAs and Roth IRAs are examples.• During the 1970’s and 1980’s, stockholders in gas

and electric utility companies received a tax break if they reinvested their dividends in the companies.

How can these levels of growth be stimulated?Increasing government support for

basic research will stimulate research and development.

• National Science Foundation grants are one mechanism used in the United States

Getting the most from comparative advantage by encouraging international trade will also stimulate growth throughout the world.

How can these levels of growth be stimulated?

Growth can also be stimulated by improving the quality and capabilities of the labor force so workers can be more productive with a given level of capital and technology.

Improving the quality of public education and, using education IRAs, provides incentives for people to obtain more education.

Increases in the labor force and advances in technology can be shown as an outward shift in PPC or as an outward shift in the LRAS.

Both shifts demonstrate that total output has increased.

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4

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8

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Cru

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Pastries

PPC

Pric

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Real GDP

LRAS LRAS1

Y* Y1

Part B: Analyzing the Reasons for Economic Growth

Economic growth can be illustrated by a rightward shift of the long-run AS curve or a shift outward of the production possibilities curve of consumption goods vs. capital goods.

5. Draw a graph that includes AD, SRAS and LRAS and then draw a graph of PPC.

Fig. 47.5: Relationship Between LRAS and PPC: Increased Investment in Education

PLCapital Goods

Real GDP

Consumption Goods

LRAS

SRAS

AD PPC

p

A. On each graph you drew, show the effect of an increased investment in education that makes the work force more productive. Explain your reasoning.

PLCapital Goods

Real GDP

C Goods

LRAS

SRAS

AD PPC

SRAS1

LRAS1

p

p1

PPC1

Both LRAS and SRAS increase. The PPC shits outward. The increase in education makes the labor force more productive with the same natural resources. This means that workers can produce more, thus increasing GDP

B. Of the five factors that affect economic growth, which factor is increased by this investment education?

Human resources or human capital

8. Explain how fewer government regulations will affect economic growth. Cite an example to support your explanation. Show the effect of fewer government regulations on the graphs in Fig. 47.6

PLCapital Goods

Real GDP

C Goods

LRAS

SRAS

AD PPC

SRAS1

LRAS1

p

p1

PPC1

A reduction in government regulation will reduce-the-cost of production for firms. This will result in an increase in production at every price level, causing increases in SRAS and LRAS. The PPC curve will shift outward. Examples are a decrease in regulations of environmental pollution or a reduction in the required testing for new drugs.

7. Briefly explain how the following policies will affect economic growth and why.

(A) High taxes on businesses

(B) Improvements in technology

Economic growth would decrease because firms have fewer resources to invest in producing more products or in providing educational opportunities for employees.

Economic growth should increase. Firms should be able to produce more with fewer resources.

(C) Less savings by people who want to enjoy the good life

(D) Higher productivity of labor because of improved management styles

(E) Lower interest rates

Consumption expenditures increase, reducing the level of capital goods; thus, future production is reduced.

Economic growth would increase because labor can produce more with the same inputs.

Lower interest rates sustained over time will encourage investment, which will increase the capital stock, and encourage people to invest in education.