--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Okun's Law Coefficient Is so Large

Why the Okun's Law Coefficient Is so Large? Okun's Law posits not a 1-to-1 relation but a 2.5-to-1 relationship between real GDP growth and the unemployment rate. That is, a one percentage-point fall in the unemployment rate is associated not with a 1 but a 2.5 percent boost in the level of production. Why is this Okun's Law coefficient so large? Why isn't it the case that a one percentage point fall in unemployment produces a one percent rise in output, or even less? One answer is that the unemployment rate, as officially measured, does not count discouraged workers. In a recession, the number of people at work falls, the number of people looking for work rises, and the number of people who are not looking for work because they doubt they could find jobs--but would be working if business conditions were better--rises. Because the conventionally-measured unemployment rate does not include these discouraged workers, more than a 1 percent rise in real GDP is needed to reduce the unemployment rate by 1 percentage point. Moreover, when business returns to normal, firms' initial response is not to hire more employees, but to ask existing employees to work longer hours. So average hours of work per week go up, and the unemployment rate falls by less than one would otherwise expect. Finally, in some industries employing more workers increases production by more than a proportional amount: product design and set-up need to be done only once, no matter how much is produced. Thus businesses which have economies of scale do not need twice as many workers to produce twice as much output.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : Charge a price by monopolists Most

    Most monopolists whom do not price discriminate and that operate effectively in the long run are capable to charge a price: (w) greater than minimum average total costs [ATC]. (x) less than MR. (y) less than marginal costs [MC]. (z) less than which of

    		•
  • Q : Example of perfectly price inelastic A

    A candy factory now produced 5.2 million packages of gummy worms as well as sold them for $1.27 each this annum. Last year this sold 4.7 million packages of gummy worms sold for $1.36 each. That firm’s gummy worms have demand which is: (1) perfe

    		•
  • Q : Inelastic demand over relevant price

    While rate hikes will boost a utility's total revenue, in that case the utility faces: (w) elastic demand over the relevant price range. (x) unitarily elastic demand over the relevant price range. (y) inelastic demand over the relevant price range. (z

    		•
  • Q : Operation of profit maximizing pure

    This profit-maximizing pure competitor would stop operating within this market into the long run when the price was expected to be persistently less than the price consequent to: (i) point c. (ii) point d. (iii) point e. (iv) point f. (v) point g.

    		•
  • Q : Problem regarding Bilateral Monopoly

    The bilateral monopoly model is most likely most applicable in analyzing a case where a: (1) Major employer collectively bargains with the influential union. (2) Firm consists of monopoly power in output market and monopsony power in the labor market. (3) Labor market

    		•
  • Q : Sufficient general theory of oligopoly

    A sufficient general theory of oligopoly would: (w) merely blend elements from competitive and monopolistic models. (x) qualitatively account for interdependence in decision making in broad terms. (y) closely fit all types of oligopoly markets. (z) de

    		•
  • Q : Proprietorships-partnerships and

    The division of U.S. businesses into the categories of proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations is based on: A) generally accepted accounting principles. B) legal considerations. C) the judg-ment of the American Economic Association. D) an executive order of th

    		•
  • Q : Price elasticity of demand at high and

    Moving by left to right along demand curve D, then price elasticity of demand for cheesy fried grits of Pixie is mostly: (w) positive, then unitary, then negative. (x) constant and equivalent to one. (y) greater at high prices than at low prices. (z)

    		•
  • Q : Increase total revenue at a diminishing

    When a monopolist increases output along with elastic demand, then total revenue: (w) increases at a constant rate. (x) increases at an increasing rate. (y) increases at a diminishing rate. (z) All of the above are possible.

  • Q : Increasing economic profits in a

    Rising economic profits within a competitive market do NOT produce pressures for: (i) expansions of existing firms. (ii) entry by new firms. (iii) price hikes. (iv) increases in costs for specialized resources. (v) ultimate erosion of

    		•