How does demand-pull inflation differ from cost-push inflation?
Demand-pull inflation occurs when increased demand for goods and services leads to higher prices, especially when supply cannot increase to meet the demand. In contrast, cost-push inflation is caused by rising production costs (such as higher raw material prices), which reduce firms' profits and output, leading to higher prices due to decreased supply. The key difference is that demand-pull inflation is driven by increased demand, while cost-push inflation is driven by increased costs to producers.
What happens to the equilibrium price and quantity when demand increases but supply remains constant?
The equilibrium price rises while the quantity supplied stays the same, resulting in higher prices without increased production.
In demand-pull inflation, what is meant by 'too much spending chasing too few goods'?
It means that demand for goods and services exceeds the available supply, causing prices to rise.
How is a supply shock related to cost-push inflation?
A supply shock, such as a sudden increase in raw material costs, reduces supply and pushes prices higher, leading to cost-push inflation.
What typically happens to firm profits during cost-push inflation?
Firm profits decrease because production costs rise, which can lead to some firms leaving the industry.
When supply decreases and demand is held constant, what happens to the market equilibrium?
The equilibrium price increases and the equilibrium quantity decreases.
Why might output not increase during demand-pull inflation even though demand rises?
Output does not increase because supply is held constant and cannot meet the higher demand.
What is the graphical effect of a leftward shift in the supply curve on price?
A leftward shift in the supply curve leads to a higher equilibrium price and a lower equilibrium quantity.
How does a decrease in the number of producers affect supply and prices?
A decrease in the number of producers reduces supply, which in turn raises prices.
What is the main similarity between demand-pull and cost-push inflation?
Both result in higher prices, though they are caused by different factors—either increased demand or increased production costs.
What is cost-push inflation and what may cause it?
Cost-push inflation occurs when rising production costs, such as increased prices for raw materials, decrease firms' profits and reduce output, leading to higher prices. It may be caused by supply shocks or increases in the cost of inputs.
What are the main causes of inflation in macroeconomics?
The main causes of inflation are demand-pull inflation, which results from increased demand for goods and services, and cost-push inflation, which results from rising production costs.
How does demand-pull inflation occur?
Demand-pull inflation occurs when increased demand for goods and services leads to higher prices, especially when supply cannot increase to meet the demand.
What best describes why inflation occurs in an economy?
Inflation occurs when either demand for goods and services increases faster than supply (demand-pull) or when production costs rise, reducing supply and pushing prices up (cost-push).
What is a supply shock and how does it relate to cost-push inflation?
A supply shock is an unexpected increase in production costs, such as raw materials, which decreases supply and leads to higher prices, causing cost-push inflation.
How do increased production costs affect inflation?
Increased production costs reduce firms' profits, may lead to reduced output and fewer producers, and result in higher prices, contributing to cost-push inflation.