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Running head: HYPERINFLATION, ITS EFFECTS AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT
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HYPERINFLATION, ITS EFFECTS AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT
Hyperinflation, Its Effects and the Role of the Government
Paige Stokes
University of Houston- Downtown
Abstract
Hyperinflation is not a new phenomenon. In the past century many countries have experienced this phenomenon due to various reasons. Scholars explain that when hyperinflation occurs in a nation, the value of the country?s currency highly depreciates in value to a point that it totally loses its value. This paper seeks to explain the critical role governments have in controlling hyperinflation from occurring. To illustrate this, three countries have been used, namely: Germany, Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe. This paper is divided into three sections: the theories of inflation, the effects of inflation and the example countries and the possible cures of inflation.
Keywords: Hyperinflation, Keynesian, Monetarism,
Introduction
?Inflation is a process that distorts the allocation and distribution of scarce resources by both raising the general level of prices and by altering relative price returns? (Jones, 2001). Siklos (n.d.) elaborates that hyperinflation occurs when the inflation rate exceeds fifty-percent on a monthly basis (p. 60). Inflation is not a new concept and has befallen many countries all over the world. For example, the first recorded hyperinflation to
1. What is inflation? Inflation is an increase in prices for goods and services (What is Inflation?).
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (2002), inflation can be defined as the increase in the level of prices and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. In short, money loses its value due to the increase of the prices of goods and services. Products that can experience this are food, clothing, electronics, raw materials, and more. The reasons for these occurrences are complex since there are two types of inflation, and each has its respective causes.
Inflation occurs when the general price level of goods and services have increased in a period of time. It is a measurement that signals the current economic situations and whether there is a potential economic growth.
Inflation is the sustained increase in the general level of prices for goods and services in a county, and is measured as an annual percentage change. (Investopedia) During periods of inflation, the prices of products and services will rise. There are several reasons why an economy would see a rise in inflation. Decrease in supplies, corporate deciding to charge more, and consumer confidence are some of the reasons why an economy would see the inflation rate increase. Consumer confidence is when consumers gain more confidence in spending due to a low unemployment rate and wages being stable. Decrease in supplies is when consumers are willing to pay more for a product or service is that is slowly becoming unavailable due to a decrease in supplies. Corporate decisions are when the corporations basically decide
In the first place, inflation can be defined as a persistent increase in the overall level of prices charged for goods and services. It is constantly changing but it is only measured
In the past Venezuela created inflation that ran at a fairly reasonable rate. However, today they are slowly deepening into an economic crisis. Today Venezuela is experiencing hyperinflation, with an inflation rate above 800 percent. Hyperinflation as discussed in class, is monetary inflation
There are only a few ways to increase production, which include hire more workers, increase hours, buy more equipment, and take advantage of technology to produce more. The government must form a way that the economy doesn’t grow too slow or fast so they can prevent disastrous events. The importance of modern currency lies in its purchasing power. Inflation signals the rising prices, but the way to think about it isn’t like that, but that the currency’s purchasing power decreases. With hyperinflation, fixed loans are impossible because nobody wants to risk it when the money can potentially become worthless. With moderate inflation, it can destroy wealth if it isn’t managed properly. Inflation is good for those who owe debt, but bad for those who lend money. Inflation may be bad, but deflation is worse. Prices fall because the economy is broken, but now the economy is broken because the prices have fallen.
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a loss of real value in the internal medium of exchange and unit of account in the economy A chief measure of price inflation is the inflation rate, the annualized percentage change in a general price index (normally the Consumer Price Index) over time.
Inflation is a sustained increase in the general level of prices for goods and services
Hyperinflation, the term can be easily understood by its prefix and foot, the high-strung high index of inflation economics circumstances. According to Cagan, a famous economist, the definition of hyperinflation is when the inflation rate is greater than 50 percent monthly and lasts for more than one year, it can defined as hyperinflation. For example, a dollar item in January cost 130 dollars in the next year of January. Throughout history, there are many examples of hyperinflation worldwide. By looking through the data, Taiwan’s hyperinflation is not as serious as other countries, such as Germany, Hungary and Russia. However, the Taiwanese experience hyperinflation for a very long time, 42 months from January 1946 to June 1949, when compared to other countries.
Inflation is blazing subject that delays the economic development of the country. It is becoming extra hectic to economists, politicians and even people also. Factors on both demand and supply effect the inflation. So the stabilization strategies ought to consequently focus on both demand manipulation as well as
Inflation is one of the most powerful driving forces in today’s market. Excessive inflation can make a nation’s currency worthless while destroying public savings, Putting it in a state of financial ruin. Even more inflation, known as hyperinflation, results in shops having to change prices several times a day and trillion dollar notes, as in the case in Zimbabwe in the mid 2000s, whereas the other extreme, deflation, can ruin businesses and leave many unemployed. Because both can be highly destructive, much care must be taken to balance them both out so as to keep the economy healthy.
Hyperinflation is a rare economic phenomenon where inflation becomes out of control. The confidence in the country’s currency reduces significantly leading to a dramatic increase in the prices of goods and services, rising by 50 percent per month. Hyperinflation is often considered to be a manmade disaster. There are several theories explaining the causes of hyperinflation:-
In general, an independent, transparent and credible central bank, “strong fiscal position”, sound financial system with rigorous regulation and supervision and flexible exchange rate is vital. Furthermore, a more effective strategy is supposed to “phase in” following successful disinflation (Mishkin, 2000, p.106-p.107).
When looking at the advantages and disadvantages of inflation, it is important to consider what type of inflation is occurring. For example,