Macroeconomic objectives and conflicts

A look at the main macroeconomic objectives (economic growth, inflation and

unemployment, government borrowing) and possible conflicts between these
different macro-economic objectives.

The main macro-economic objectives

1. Economic growth – positive and sustainable growth (The UK, long-run

trend rate is around 2.5%)
2. Low inflation (UK target 2% +/-1) –
3. Low unemployment / Full employment (e.g. around 3%)
4. Current account – balance of payments. Satisfactory position (i.e. avoid
unsustainable current account deficit)
5. Low government borrowing/public sector debt.
6. Exchange rate stability
Some economists also consider:

1. Issues of equity (avoid inequality)

2. Environmental factors (long-run environmental sustainability)
Conflicts of macro-economic objectives

1. Economic growth vs inflation

One macro-economic conflict can come between economic growth and inflation
(which leads to a similar conflict between unemployment and inflation). If there is
rapid economic growth, it is more likely that inflationary pressures will increase.
Inflation is particularly likely to occur when growth is above the long run trend
rate, and AD increases faster than AS.

When the economy is growing very quickly, firms have difficulty employing
sufficient skilled labour; this can lead to wage inflation and higher wages cause
higher prices. Also, if demand grows faster than supply, firms will respond to
shortages by putting up prices.

Inflationary growth
In this diagram, there is an increase in AD, when the economy is close to full
capacity. We get an increase in real GDP but also an increase in the inflation
rate.

Example of conflict between economic growth and inflation

In the late 1980s during the Lawson boom, the UK experienced a high rate of
economic growth (4-5% a year). This growth rate was above the long run trend
rate of growth but caused inflationary pressures to increase. Also if growth is very
quick, there may be supply constraints pushing up commodity price increases. 
This economic boom of the 1980s proved unsustainable and ultimately led to the
recession in 1991 (as the government increased interest rates to try and control
inflation.
The rapid economic growth of 1986-1989 led to inflation increasing to nearly 1%.
It required interest rates of 12% and the recession of 1991/92 to bring inflation
under control.
Low inflationary growth
However, it is possible to have economic growth without causing inflation. If
growth is sustainable – if it is close to the long run trend rate, then LRAS will
increase at the same rate as AD, and therefore, we will not see inflation.

Economic growth without inflation. AD and LRAS increasing at the same rate.
The UK between 1993-2007, had a long period of economic expansion. But, this
prolonged economic growth did not cause inflation. This is sometimes known
as the great moderation.

The UK great moderation from 1992 to 2008 – low inflation, positive economic growth.

2. Economic growth vs balance of payments

When economic growth is led by consumer spending, it tends to cause a deficit
in the current account. This is because as consumer spending rises, there will be
a rise in import spending. This is especially true in the UK, where traditionally we
have a high marginal propensity to import (MPM). Also, high economic growth
may increase inflation and make exports less competitive.
The late 1980s saw an economic boom and a growing current account deficit.
The recession of 1992, saw a fall in import spending and a decline in the current
account deficit.

However, if economic growth is export-led, then there can be an increase in

economic growth without causing a current account deficit. For example,
Germany has seen strong economic growth, but it often runs a current account
surplus.
See more – Is there a conflict between economic growth and the balance of
payments?
3. Economic growth vs budget deficit

A government may feel it needs to reduce the budget deficit. This will require
higher taxes and lower spending. However, this tightening of fiscal policy will lead
to a fall in AD and lead to lower economic growth.
Similarly, if the government wants to boost the rate of economic growth it could
pursue expansionary fiscal policy (tax cuts/spending rises). This should increase
aggregate demand and help economic growth – but there will be a side effect,
the budget deficit will rise.

Evaluation
If policies to reduce a budget deficit lead to unemployment and lower growth, the
government will need to pay more on benefits and will get lower tax receipts.
Therefore the deficit may experience only a small reduction. This has been a
dilemma for European governments since the austerity measures of post-2010.
However, it depends on how you reduce a budget deficit. For example, if you
raised the retirement age and made it more difficult to get welfare benefits, then
you can reduce government spending, but there is little negative impact on
economic growth (in fact, people have to work longer, increasing LRAS). Though
there may be side effects on issues of equality and fairness.

4. Economic growth vs environment

There can be a strong conflict between economic growth and environmental
objectives. Higher GDP leads to higher levels of pollution and consumption of
non-renewable resources.

However, it is possible to have economic growth without harming the

environment. For example, the development of solar panels has helped increase
energy productivity, but it is also better for the environment than burning coal.

5. Conflict between unemployment and inflation

There is often a trade off (at least in the short run) between unemployment and
inflation. In a period of high growth – jobs are created, causing unemployment to
fall. But, as unemployment falls, it can put upward pressure on wages, leading to
inflation.
The Phillips curve suggests there is a trade off between these two objectives. For
example, a cut in interest rates leads to higher Aggregate Demand (AD). Higher
AD leads to higher growth (Lower unemployment) but also higher inflation.
Therefore the Phillips curve trade-off moves from A to B.
But, it is possible to reduce both inflation and unemployment. If successful
supply-side policies are used, you can reduce structural unemployment without
causing wage inflation. Also, if the growth is sustainable, inflation will remain low.