Assignment

Description

In the Ten Principles video Dr. Todd Buchholz and Dr. Caroline Hoxby debated the very existence of the Phillips Curve.

Dr. Hoxby indicated she was taking bets that the Phillips Curve is alive and well. The problem may just be that it moves around and possibly changes shape occasionally.

Policy makers like Congress and the Federal Reserve seek to steer the US economy to a sweet spot where we have low unemployment and only moderate inflation. The Phillips Curve is supposed to describe the trade-off between higher inflation and lower unemployment. Does it?

Instructions

Read the Business Insider article: Japan can help us better understand one of the biggest puzzles facing the US economy by AKIN OYEDELE.

QUESTION 1

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current level of unemployment?

QUESTION 2

Using the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current level of inflation?

QUESTION 3

Are these high or low compared to the historical averages of the United States?

QUESTION 4

Should policy makers ignore the ‘historically observed Phillips Curve relationship' and push unemployment even lower? Explain your thoughts.