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Social Sci LibreTexts

8: Business Cycle

  • Page ID
    287963
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    Learning Objectives

    Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:

    • relate economic activity and to the income/spending circular flow.
    • describe the business cycle and how it provides the context in which economic indicators are placed.
    • explain and contrast the stages in the business cycle.
    • understand, at an introductory level, how the business cycle is measured and who measures it
    • recognize the difference between leading, coincident, and lagging economic indicators

    • 8.1: Economic Activity
      This page discusses the analysis of economic indicators through the lens of the business cycle, which depicts fluctuations in economic activity. It emphasizes the importance of identifying the stage of the cycle an indicator, such as the Consumer Price Index, falls into for accurate interpretation. Unlike seasonal variations, the business cycle is characterized by its irregular and unpredictable nature, making its analysis challenging.
    • 8.2: Failure of the Classical Theory
      This page discusses the evolution of economic theories, highlighting the classical economics approach, which dominated until the Great Depression, and its failure to address prolonged downturns. It notes the rise of Keynesian economics, which emphasizes government intervention and aggregate demand to stabilize the economy. Additionally, it explains that economic activity is measured by GDP, which captures the contributions of various sectors in the market.
    • 8.3: Business Cycle Stages
      This page outlines the four stages of the business cycle: Trough to Recovery, Recovery to Expansion, Expansion to Peak, and Peak to Contraction. It describes how the economy fluctuates from contraction and recession (Stage 1) to rising demand and production (Stage 2), then to heightened activity and income (Stage 3), before excessive borrowing leads to reduced consumption and contraction (Stage 4). Each cycle is unique and influenced by multiple factors.
    • 8.4: Measuring The Business Cycle
      This page discusses the business cycle, focusing on the NBER's role in determining turning points and defining recessions. It outlines the NBER's comprehensive methodology beyond GDP and provides historical context for U.S. economic cycles. Key distinctions are made between various recessions, including the mild downturn in the early 2000s, the severe 2008 crisis, and the sharp COVID-19 recession in 2020, followed by rapid recovery.
    • 8.5: Leading, Coincident, and Lagging Economic Indicators
      This page emphasizes the importance of analyzing economic indicators within the context of the business cycle to improve decision-making for market participants, such as CEOs and job seekers. It categorizes indicators into leading, coincident, and lagging types, each serving a unique purpose in forecasting, reflecting, or signaling economic changes. By recognizing these indicators, individuals can better anticipate shifts in the economy.


    This page titled 8: Business Cycle is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Martin Medeiros.