In this chapter you will learn the theory of liquidity preference as a short-run theory of the interest rate, analyze how monetary policy affects interest rates and aggregate demand, analyze how fiscal policy affects interest rates and aggregate demand, discuss the debate over whether policymakers should try to stabilize the economy. | 34 The Influence of Monetary and Fiscal Policy on Aggregate Demand Aggregate Demand Many factors influence aggregate demand besides monetary and fiscal policy. In particular, desired spending by households and business firms determines the overall demand for goods and services. Aggregate Demand When desired spending changes, aggregate demand shifts, causing short-run fluctuations in output and employment. Monetary and fiscal policy are sometimes used to offset those shifts and stabilize the economy. HOW MONETARY POLICY INFLUENCES AGGREGATE DEMAND The aggregate demand curve slopes downward for three reasons: The wealth effect The interest-rate effect The exchange-rate effect HOW MONETARY POLICY INFLUENCES AGGREGATE DEMAND For the . economy, the most important reason for the downward slope of the aggregate-demand curve is the interest-rate effect. The Theory of Liquidity Preference Keynes developed the theory of liquidity preference in order to explain what factors determine the . | 34 The Influence of Monetary and Fiscal Policy on Aggregate Demand Aggregate Demand Many factors influence aggregate demand besides monetary and fiscal policy. In particular, desired spending by households and business firms determines the overall demand for goods and services. Aggregate Demand When desired spending changes, aggregate demand shifts, causing short-run fluctuations in output and employment. Monetary and fiscal policy are sometimes used to offset those shifts and stabilize the economy. HOW MONETARY POLICY INFLUENCES AGGREGATE DEMAND The aggregate demand curve slopes downward for three reasons: The wealth effect The interest-rate effect The exchange-rate effect HOW MONETARY POLICY INFLUENCES AGGREGATE DEMAND For the . economy, the most important reason for the downward slope of the aggregate-demand curve is the interest-rate effect. The Theory of Liquidity Preference Keynes developed the theory of liquidity preference in order to explain what factors determine the economy’s interest rate. According to the theory, the interest rate adjusts to balance the supply and demand for money. The Theory of Liquidity Preference Money Supply The money supply is controlled by the Fed through: Open-market operations Changing the reserve requirements Changing the discount rate Because it is fixed by the Fed, the quantity of money supplied does not depend on the interest rate. The fixed money supply is represented by a vertical supply curve. The Theory of Liquidity Preference Money Demand Money demand is determined by several factors. According to the theory of liquidity preference, one of the most important factors is the interest rate. People choose to hold money instead of other assets that offer higher rates of return because money can be used to buy goods and services. The opportunity cost of holding money is the interest that could be earned on interest-earning assets. An increase in the interest rate raises the opportunity cost of holding money. As a result,
