Political Dimensions of the American Macroeconomy

Author (s) : Gerald T. Fox

Publication Year 2019
Copyright Year 2020
eISBN 9781948976367
ISBN 9781948976350
Page 208
Language English

Description

Political macro economy refers to the interconnection between macro economic politics and macroeconomic performance. The expectational Phillips curve may be used to examine the economic aspects of this interrelation. Macroeconomic politics relates to voter behavior, presidential reelection ambition, partisan economic priorities, and special interests. These factors impact the ?scal and monetary policy actions of the president, Congress, and central bank.

According to the electoral effect, presidents attempt to boost the economy before an election to increase reelection votes. According to the partisan effect, conservative presidencies are relatively in?ation averse, while liberal administrations are relatively unemployment averse. The evidence, however, suggests that the electoral and partisan effects occurred idiosyncratically in the U.S. economy during 1961–2016.

The economy also affects presidential approval, Congressional elections, consumer sentiment, voter participation, and macro partisanship. An international dimension of the political macro economy is the issue of free trade versus protectionism and the perspectives of economic liberalism, neomercantilism, and structuralism.