📚 Learning Guide
Expansionary Monetary Policy
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How can a central bank's reduction in the discount rate potentially lead to asset bubbles in the economy?

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Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

It decreases borrowing costs, encouraging excessive investment.

B

It limits the availability of credit to businesses.

C

It increases interest rates, dampening consumer spending.

D

It encourages saving over spending.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a central bank reduces the discount rate, it makes borrowing money cheaper for banks and, in turn, for consumers and businesses. This encourages more people to take out loans and spend money, leading to increased demand for goods and services. As demand rises, prices for certain assets, like stocks or real estate, can also increase quickly, sometimes beyond their actual value. For example, if many people start buying homes because they can afford lower mortgage payments, the price of houses may soar, creating a bubble. If the bubble bursts, it can lead to significant economic problems, as people may find themselves with assets worth much less than what they paid.

Detailed Explanation

When the central bank lowers the discount rate, it makes loans cheaper. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests that lowering the discount rate limits credit, which is not true; This choice says that lower rates increase interest rates, which is the opposite of what happens.

Key Concepts

discount rate
asset bubbles
Topic

Expansionary Monetary Policy

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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