Paradox of Thrift Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Paradox of Thrift - Assignment Example This scenario contradicts the individual or household-based argument that saving is good for the economy. In the United States, the Personal Savings Rate (PSR) over the last decade has been increasing and decreasing from time to time depending on the personal savings levels in the economy. The U.S PSR was recorded at 3.40% in December 2011, 5.50% in January 2011, 4.90% in December 2010, 4.50% in December 2009, and 5.70% in December 2008 among others (Yates & Hunter, 2011). This trend can be associated with the performance of the U.S economy at different times of every single year. The spending and saving of a typical American household is guided by the economic potential of the household. This can be held collectively for the entire economy, where the population spends within its financial limits. By observing the PSR trend over the last decade, it is seen that both spending and saving in the economy fluctuate from time to time. Increase in savings directly lowers spending in the economy, and vice versa. Too much savings in the economy lowers total consumption. A typical American household spends more than it saves, but summing up increased savings in the economy can result in the paradox of