DEFLATION: An extended decline in the average level of prices. This is the exact opposite of inflation--in which prices are rising over an extended period, and it should be contrasted with disinflation--which is a decline in the inflation rate. Like inflation, deflation occurs when the AVERAGE price level decreases over time. While some prices might decrease, other prices could increase or remain unchanged, so long as the AVERAGE follows a downward trend. Deflation is a rare bird indeed in our economy and typically happens only when we're in a prolonged period of stagnation. We might see some deflation during a fairly lengthy recession, but more than likely deflation saves itself for the occasional depression that dots our economic landscape.

     See also | inflation | price level | disinflation | recession | depression | Consumer Price Index | GDP price deflator |

DEFLATION, AmosWEB GLOSS*arama, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: July 26, 2024].

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A form of fiscal policy in which a decrease in government purchases, an increase in taxes, and/or a decrease in transfer payments are used to correct the inflationary problems of a business-cycle expansion. The goal of contractionary fiscal policy is to close an inflationary gap, restrain the economy, and decrease the inflation rate. Contractionary fiscal policy is often supported by contractionary monetary policy. An alternative is expansionary fiscal policy.

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