QUESTION THREE
(25 Marks)
a) Answer each of the following:
i. What are the main components of unemployment? What is the natural rate of unemployment? (5 Marks)
ii. "The natural rate of unemployment is independent of the conduct of monetary policy" Evaluate this statement (5 Marks)
b) Suppose that the Phillips curve in the economy is
given by (for any time t) pi t = pi t - 1 -0.5(U t -0.06)
i. Suppose that the economy starts with an inflation rate of 0 at time t - 1 Moreover at time t the unemployment rate is at the natural level. What is the inflation rate in the economy at timet? (5 Marks)
ii. Suppose that the government wants to decrease the unemployment rate to 2% (-0.02) in period t + 1. The government wants to keep that unemployment rate for three periods, t + 1 t + 2 and t + 3 . Using the Phillips curve defined above calculate the inflation rate at time t + 1 t + 2 and t + 3 . (6 Marks)
iii. At time t + 4 the economy returns to the natural unemployment rate. What happens to the inflation rate
3 answers
ii. The statement that "the natural rate of unemployment is independent of the conduct of monetary policy" is not entirely accurate. Monetary policy, which involves the actions taken by a central bank to control the money supply and interest rates, can influence the natural rate of unemployment through its impact on economic growth and investment. For example, expansionary monetary policy that leads to lower interest rates can stimulate spending and investment, potentially reducing unemployment. However, monetary policy alone cannot permanently reduce the natural rate of unemployment, as this rate is primarily determined by factors such as labor market dynamics, technological advancements, and government policies related to education and training.
b) i. If the economy starts with an inflation rate of 0 at time t-1 and the unemployment rate is at the natural level at time t, then the equation for the Phillips curve can be simplified to: pi(t) = -0.5(U(t) - 0.06).
Since the unemployment rate is at the natural level, U(t) = U(natural) = U* = 1.
Substituting this into the simplified Phillips curve equation, we get: pi(t) = -0.5(1 - 0.06) = 0.97.
Therefore, the inflation rate in the economy at time t is 0.97.
ii. To calculate the inflation rate at time t+1, t+2, and t+3, we need to know the unemployment rate in each period.
Let's assume the unemployment rates are as follows:
U(t+1) = U(t+2) = U(t+3) = 0.02
Using the given Phillips curve equation: pi(t) = pi(t-1) - 0.5(U(t) - 0.06)
For time t+1: pi(t+1) = pi(t) - 0.5(U(t+1) - 0.06)
pi(t+1) = 0.97 - 0.5(0.02 - 0.06) = 0.97 - 0.5(-0.04) = 0.97 + 0.02 = 0.99
For time t+2: pi(t+2) = pi(t+1) - 0.5(U(t+2) - 0.06)
pi(t+2) = 0.99 - 0.5(0.02 - 0.06) = 0.99 - 0.5(-0.04) = 0.99 + 0.02 = 1.01
For time t+3: pi(t+3) = pi(t+2) - 0.5(U(t+3) - 0.06)
pi(t+3) = 1.01 - 0.5(0.02 - 0.06) = 1.01 - 0.5(-0.04) = 1.01 + 0.02 = 1.03
Therefore, the inflation rate at time t+1 is 0.99, at time t+2 is 1.01, and at time t+3 is 1.03.
iii. At time t+4, the economy returns to the natural unemployment rate, U* = 1.
Using the Phillips curve equation: pi(t) = pi(t-1) - 0.5(U(t) - 0.06)
Substituting U* = 1, we get: pi(t+4) = pi(t+3) - 0.5(1 - 0.06)
pi(t+4) = 1.03 - 0.5(1 - 0.06) = 1.03 - 0.5(0.94) = 1.03 - 0.47 = 0.56
Therefore, the inflation rate at time t+4 is 0.56.