LOYOLA COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), CHENNAI – 600 034
M.A. DEGREE EXAMINATION – ECONOMICS
SECOND SEMESTER – APRIL 2012
EC 2809 – MACRO ECONOMIC THEORY – II
Date : 19-04-2012 Dept. No. Max. : 100 Marks
Time : 9:00 – 12:00
PART A
Answer any FIVE questions in 75 words each. Each question carries FOUR marks: (5 X 4 = 20)
- Mention the assumptions of the human capital and growth model.
- Explain the concept of perfect foresight.
- What is endogenous growth?
- What is a Research and Development model?
- State the assumptions of the Hicks theory of the business cycle.
- Define a constant returns to scale production function using a suitable example.
- Highlight the major conclusions of the Ramsey-Cass-Koopman’s model.
PART B
Answer any FOUR questions in 300 words each. Each question carries TEN marks: (4 X 10 = 40)
- Examine the implications of a coordination-failure model.
- Discuss a simple endogenous growth model.
- How does Goodwin make use of the non-linear accelerator in his model of the trade cycle to prove the persistence of business cycles?
- How do Nelson and Plosser prove that the GDP growth process follows a random walk, influenced largely by supply shocks rather than demand shocks?
- Explain the key propositions of the Solow growth model using suitable illustrations.
- Derive a simple version of a Research and Development Model.
- Consider the Solow growth model with positive and constant population growth (n > 0) and with positive technological growth (g > 0). Assume now that Y = √AKL, s = 0.1, δ = 0.03, n = 0.03, g = 0.04, where Y, A, K, and L are the levels of output, technology, capital and labor respectively, s is the savings rate, δ is the depreciation rate. What are the steady state levels (per efficiency units) of capital, output, and consumption? Is consumption per worker maximized in steady state? What is the savings rate that maximizes consumption in the steady state (s*)?
PART C
Answer any TWO questions in 1200 words each. Each question carries TWENTY marks. (2×20=40)
- Explain how Lucas uses the aggregate supply curve to prove that local prices are dependent upon local demand shocks as well as the general level of prices in the economy.
- Derive mathematically a baseline model of real business cycle theory.
- Explain how Kaldor’s model of the trade cycle discusses the possibility of multiple points of equilibrium.
- Demonstrate with the help of the perfect-foresight and rational expectations models that anticipated changes in monetary policy will have no real effects.