Introduction to Macroeconomics
Ever wondered why prices sometimes shoot up or why unemployment rates change? Macroeconomics gives you the tools to understand these massive economic shifts that affect everyone's daily lives.
The foundation starts with aggregate demand (AD) - basically all the spending happening in an economy. It's calculated as AD = C + I + G + X−M, which covers consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports. When you see the AD curve, it slopes downwards because higher prices make people spend less.
On the flip side, aggregate supply shows how much businesses are willing to produce at different price levels. Short-run aggregate supply (SRAS) can shift when things like wages or raw material costs change - imagine how rising oil prices affect everything from transport to manufacturing.
Quick Tip: Remember that Real GDP removes inflation effects, giving you the true picture of economic growth, whilst Nominal GDP includes current prices and can be misleading during inflationary periods.
The long-run aggregate supply reveals two major economic schools of thought. Classical economists believe markets naturally reach full employment, whilst Keynesian theory suggests economies can get stuck with spare capacity and unemployment for extended periods.
Understanding these concepts helps you grasp why governments make certain policy decisions and how economic cycles affect job markets, prices, and living standards. The UK government prioritises sustainable economic growth and price stability above all else, measured through tools like the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).