With hundreds of years of accumulated data on how economies 'work' available for analysis, how is it possible that it is still unclear (it seems) whether or not - and to what extent - a government should boost an economy that is in a slowdown? [more inside]
posted by woodblock100 on Dec 27, 2009 - 22 answers

[Economics101Filter] How is it that the cost of living can go up, but salaries stay the same? Economics n00b questions inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2009 - 27 answers

Economicsfilter: How do mortgages work in developing countries with high rates of inflation and high interest rates? For example, Pakistan has a 20% inflation rate and the average fixed term prime residential mortgage for people with good credit is priced at 17%. What are the effects of this on a market? [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Apr 4, 2009 - 13 answers

[EconomicsFilter] Deflation is evil... or so everyone in government and main stream media says. The government has an obvious conflict of interest in this instance (inflation is essentially a hidden tax) and I'm unimpressed with the main stream media's coverage of monetary policy. What's the real deal? [more inside]
posted by thekiltedwonder on Mar 25, 2009 - 11 answers

[MonetaryPolicyFilter] In relation to the Fed's huge injection of money yesterday, please explain to me how, if at all, the Federal Reserve can destroy money on its balance sheet in a way that offsets the inflation that normally would result. [more inside]
posted by Pastabagel on Mar 19, 2009 - 16 answers