The Business Cycle (DP IB Economics)
Revision Note
Written by: Steve Vorster
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
The Business Cycle
A business cycle refers to the changes in real GDP that occur in an economy over time
This is the actual growth
The real GDP will fluctuate above and below the long-term trend rate of growth
There are four recognisable points in the cycle
Peak/boom; slowdown/downturn; recession, recovery
The Business Cycle illustrates the fluctuations of real GDP (actual growth) around long-term trend growth
Diagram Analysis
A positive output gap is identified as the growth of real GDP that is above the trend
A negative output gap is identified as the growth of GDP that is below the trend
There is often a natural flow through the different stages from boom to slowdown to recession to recovery
This flow of real GDP can be moderated by government intervention
E.g. increasing taxes in a boom period or increasing spending in a recession
The Characteristics of a Boom and Recession
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Examiner Tips and Tricks
You will often be examined on the characteristics of the trade cycle. Remember to demonstrate critical thinking around the assumptions of the model. For example, some firms may thrive during a recession as consumers switch to purchasing inferior goods (e.g. Lidl).
Additionally, the components of aggregate demand do not rise/fall at the same rate. For example, during recovery, consumption may increase well ahead of investment by firms.
An economy may also experience some fundamental restructuring during a prolonged recession and the composition of real GDP growth may be significantly different to what is was before the recession.
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