r/PeterExplainsTheJoke 9h ago

Meme needing explanation Petah?

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u/nebileyim_ben 9h ago

its deflation, prices keep falling over time.

japan experienced long periods of deflation which is hurt spending and as a result affected economic growth.

its super hard to fix that bcs of liquidity trap.

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u/Terpcheeserosin 8h ago

Why does things costing less make people buy less?

If wages stay the same, shouldnt people just buy the dip?

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u/ricain 7h ago

As I understand it, decreased prices means overproduction relative to demand. Overproduction leads to reducing production to maintain profit margins. Reducing production leads to layoffs. Layoffs lead to underemployment and unemployment. Unemployment leads to reduced purchasing power. Reduced purchasing power leads to depressed demand. Depressed demand leads to even lower prices and businesses folding. Return to top.

This is a spiral until the Gummint steps in (see farm crisis of the 1920s).

Economists correct me?

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u/M_M_X_X_V 4h ago

Pretty sure Japan has a very low unemployment rate and has for a very long time