answer the following questions:

1. Why is household debt different from government debt? Specifically, why is it different from debt owed by a government that has its own currency? And why can household debt be more problematic than government debt?

2. If the US government can never run out of money, why do you think so many policy ideas are discussed in terms of affordability and cost? Who gains and who loses from the perpetuation of the three myths we've discussed so far?

3. UseFREDto look at interest rates and economic growth in the United States since 1980. Do you think interest rates have an impact on economic growth/activity? Why or why not?

4. Germany tends to have very high levels of exports. Why does this make it easier for them to run government surpluses?

5. How can taxation be used to manage the macroeconomy?

6. Many of the wealthiest individuals in the world pay a very tiny amount of tax relative to their wealth and income. Is this macroeconomically problematic? Why or why not?

7. What is the "demographic time bomb"? And why does Weeks not really think this is a problem? Do you agree or disagree with his analysis? Explain your reasoning.

8. In your home country, do you think it is true, as Weeks says, that people who receive social benefits become stigmatized? And does this stigmatization reinforce racial or ethnic stereotypes? If so, give examples.