What is the Multiplier Effect?

During the time of economic crisis starting around 2010 different rationalities have been taken to try and continue economic growth while maintaining a stable government system that is helping and not hurting. When examining government spending and how it affects the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) there seems to be disagreements on if it was helping or damaging the prospective growth that could be made. By using the Multiplier Effect the government can estimate how to adjust their government spending and how it effects the spending of the consumer, investments and spending of country’s exports.
In time of economic crisis the government has a choice to cut spending or increase spending for public goods and services. “In 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Rein- vestment Act, which authorized $787 billion in spending to promote job growth and bolster economic activity”(Stratmann/Okolski 3). John Maynard Keynes, an economist of 20th century, suggest that the government should run a deficit if it will create jobs and increase capital gain. This theory support the current stimulus package that has been introduce during President Obama’s term. Although the flaw with this concept is that it makes the assumption the government has done studies and understands which areas needs the funding the most and knows where it will be beneficial, realistically that is not true. “Federal spending is less likely to stimulate growth when it cannot accurately target the projects where it will be most productive” (Stratmann/Okolski 2). This can be seen because political figures will spend money where it directly supports their needs as well. For instance, the political figure would rather spend money to things that will yield a p...

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...ment has to invest in the future of the country regardless of the deficit it may cause now, because the reimbursement in the future is priceless. An educated, trained and sustainable nation is something that no one can defeat even in times of crisis.

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Stratmann, Thomas, and Gabriel Okolski. "MERCATUS ON POLICY: Does Government

Spending Effect Economic Growth?" Mercatus Center 76 (2010): 1-4. Print.