In: Economics
Explain the reasons that we attempt to predict the direction of the economy.
Please explain in detail.
Predictions about the future path of the economy is one of the
most important task that is assigned to the economists. The reason
why we need to predict the future path of the economy is the fact
that economic agents base their current decisions on the predicted
future path of the economy. For example if prices are going to be
increased in future, consumers can base their current decisions
regarding consumption and saving. Similarly investors and people
who buy and sell stocks are often interested in finding the future
position of the economy so that they can decide whether to retain
the stocks or to sell them. Government also is in the need to find
the future status of the economy because it is responsible for
maintaining macro equilibrium both in the internal and external
fronts. At the same time it is also necessary to make necessary
arrangements before time so that economic agents can adapt
themselves towards changed economic environment in future.
Hence it becomes important to predict the direction in which the
economy is heading forwards.