Describe the three basic tools used by the Fed to change the money supply. Which of these tools is most relied on in practice? Least relied on? Why?
The Fed can use open market operations, change the required reserve ratio, or change the discount rate to change the money supply. In practice, the Fed most often relies on open market operations because it is the most flexible tool. It allows for the greatest fine-tuning of the money supply. The required reserve ratio is the tool least used in practice because it is potentially so powerful. Changing required reserves could change the money supply too much in one direction or another. Its use could be much like using a sledgehammer to pound in a finishing nail.
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It is commonly argued that national defense is a public good. Nevertheless, the weapons used by the U.S. military are produced by private firms. We can conclude that
a. resources would be used more efficiently if the government produced the weapons. b. resources would be used more efficiently if private firms provided national defense. c. weapons are rival in consumption and excludable, but national defense is not rival in consumption and not excludable. d. national defense is rival in consumption and excludable, but weapons are not rival in consumption and not excludable.