The Keynesian Trap refers to a situation in which an economy faces a liquidity trap that limits the effectiveness of traditional monetary policy. In this scenario, even when interest rates are lowered to near-zero levels, individuals and businesses may still be reluctant to spend or invest, leading to stagnation in economic growth. This reluctance often stems from uncertainty about the future, high levels of debt, or a lack of consumer confidence. As a result, the economy can remain stuck in a low-demand equilibrium, where the output is below potential levels, and unemployment remains high. In such cases, fiscal policy (government spending and tax cuts) becomes crucial, as it can stimulate demand directly when monetary policy proves ineffective. Thus, the Keynesian Trap highlights the limitations of monetary policy in certain economic conditions and the importance of active fiscal measures to support recovery.
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