Question

What happens if there’s too much money? Too little money?

The Phillips curve shows a correlation between inflation and unemployment. BRIEFLY explain this relationship.

What is the mandate of the Federal Reserve (i.e. what is their ultimate goal)?

Answer 1

Spending money stimulates economic growth, which is what the Fed is trying to do in that instance. If there is too much money in the economy, however, people spend more money and demand increases at a faster rate than supply can match. Prices rise too quickly because of the shortage of products, and inflation results. If there is too little money in the economy, people don't have excess spending money, and there is little economic growth.

The Phillips curve explains the short run trade-off between inflation and unemployment. According to Phillips curve, there is an inverse relationship between unemployment and inflation. This means that as unemployment increases in an economy, the inflation rate decreases.The Phillips curve argues that unemployment and inflation are inversely related: as levels of unemployment decrease, inflation increases. The relationship, however, is not linear. Graphically, the short-run Phillips curve traces an L-shape when the unemployment rate is on the x-axis and the inflation rate is on the y-axis.

The Federal Reserve works to promote a strong U.S. economy. The Congress has directed the Fed to conduct the nation's monetary policy to support three specific goals: maximum sustainable employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. These goals are sometimes referred to as the Fed's "mandate."

Maximum sustainable employment is the highest level of employment that the economy can sustain while maintaining a stable inflation rate.

Prices are considered stable when consumers and businesses don't have to worry about rising or falling prices when making plans, or when borrowing or lending for long periods. When prices are stable, long-term interest rates remain at moderate levels, so the goals of price stability and moderate long-term interest rates go together.

The Fed seeks to achieve its monetary policy mandate by influencing interest rates and general financial conditions. For example, by keeping policy interest rates low, the Fed makes homes more affordable for consumers and makes it cheaper for businesses to invest, expand, and hire. And by raising policy interest rates when inflation pressures are building, the Fed helps to cool the economy and preserve price stability.