National Elections and Business Cycles.

Economic issues receive a great deal of attention during presidential election campaigns in the United States of America as well as in other comparable places around the world. Though a multitude of issues exist, this essay aims to provide a concise framework for drawing contrasts and comparisons between economic issues and events and election campaign statements. One should expect seekers of the presidential office to issue statements about recent job growth, worker productivity, energy supplies, congressional actions, income taxes, and the like. Readers and informed voters can take a step back from those statements or claims and examine them using an aggregate demand-aggregate supply model. It simplifies reality by informing us about the economic state and a primary set of dynamic factors that influence the economy. In addition, one can use the model to contemplate the interdependencies among economic events, fiscal policy, and monetary policy. Armed with an understanding of that framework, readers will gain a better understanding of the cyclical natures of political campaigns and economic events and the critical challenges of synchronizing cycles and policies.