Ex-ante aggregate demand i.e.,
AD = C + I
Aggregate demand
Since AD (i.e., र 3250) is not equal to AS (i.e., र 4000), therefore, economy is not in equilibrium.
Explain ‘Paradox of Thrift’.
Paradox of thrift. Since start of human civilisation it was considered a virtue to keep consumption level at the minimum but the lasting effects and chain reactions of keeping consumption in check were not realised. People were taught that thrift or savings are good because a penny saved today will bring increased income. In this connection, Keynes pointed out paradox of thrift and showed that as people become more thrifty, they end up saving less or same as before. If all the people of an economy increased the proportion of income which is saved (i.e., MPS), the value of savings in the economy will not increase, rather it will decline or remain unchanged. Let us understand this statement with the help of the figure (a).
In Fig (a), initial saving curve is SS and investment curve is II. Economy attains equilibrium (saving = investment) at E and equilibrium level of income is OY. Now, suppose the society decides to become thrifty and increases saving by, say, AE. As a result saving curve shifts upward to S1S1 intersecting investment curve II at E1 Unplanned inventories will increase and firms will cut down production and employment and move to new equilibrium E1 The Figure shows that in the end, planned saving has fallen from AY to E1Y1. Notice at new point of equilibrium E1,, the investment level and also realised saving remain the same (E1Y1) but level of income has fallen from OY to OY1. The decline in equilibrium level of income shows the paradox of thrift as the reverse process of multiplier has worked on reducing consumption expenditure. In fact, increased saving is virtually a withdrawal from circular flow of income.
Fig. (a)
What is the difference between ex ante (planned) investment and ex post (realised) investment?
Difference between Ex-ante (planned) and Ex–post (actual) investment. Planned investment is the investment which is desired to be made by the firms and planners in the economy during a particular period in the beginning of the period. As against it, the actual or realised investment of a period (e.g., a year) measured after the fact is called ex-post or actual investment. It needs to be noted that Keynes included in investment the inventories of unsold goods which he called unplanned investment. Thus actual investment equals planned + unplanned investment. Briefly put, ex-ante investment is intended or desired investment whereas ex-post (realised or actual) investment is equal to planned investment + unplanned investment.
Hence actual investment may differ from planned investment because of unplanned addition or reduction in inventories (i.e., stock of goods).