Assignment:
Research Paper
In this assignment you are being asked to evaluate the economic situation described below. You will focus on the role of the Federal Reserve when the economic activity is slowing down, indicating it may be entering the contraction phase of the business cycle and, possibly, a recession.
Assume the economy is entering a recession. The Federal Reserve is faced with the task of trying to stabilize the economy with the tools at its disposal. Unemployment has increased from 5 percent to 9 percent. Inflation has decreased from 4 percent to 1 percent. Gross Domestic Product has decreased in the past two consecutive quarters from (-1) percent to (-1.5) percent, which has caused a contraction in output. Consumer confidence has dropped from eighty-five on the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index to sixty-seven.
You have read the following two headlines in the news (these are fictional headlines but you might use them in goggle to find real articles);
Market turmoil turns all eyes toward Fed
Economists see dramatic Fed action unless economy improves
The research paper must:
1. Explain the role of the Federal Reserve as the central bank and its mission to stabilize the economy,
2. Describe the economic indicators the Federal Reserve System will analyze as a basis for its decisions,
3. Describe which monetary policies the Federal Reserve might use to influence the money supply.
4. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of using monetary policy in comparison to fiscal policy and;
5. Analyze the effect of the Federal Reserve's action on the world financial markets.
Please submit a three - to five - page paper; this does not include your title page or your reference page. The paper should address all questions listed above.
The Paper should be submitted both to the class and to turnitin.
The paper should be in APA Format and incorporate research from a minimum of three Academic sources, which may be textbooks (including the one used for this class), journals, articles or organizational resources.
WRITING EXPECTATIONS
All written submissions should be submitted in a font and page set-up that is readable and neat. It is recommended that students try to adhere to a consistent format, which is described below.
• Typewritten in double-spaced format with a readable style and font and submitted inside the electronic classroom (unless classroom access is not possible and other arrangements have been approved by the professor).
• Arial 12-point font or Times New Roman styles.
• Page margins Top, Bottom, Left Side and Right Side = 1 inch, with reasonable accommodation being made for special situations and online submission variances.