secular stagnation
secular stagnation
a situation in which the economy remains trapped in the DEPRESSION phase of the BUSINESS CYCLE for long periods of time with low levels of AGGREGATE DEMAND in relation to productive capacity. This could result from a combination of factors, such as low levels of consumer spending (high savings), a high fixed-exchange rate that limits exports and leads to increased IMPORT PENETRATION, reduced investment in the economy reflecting business pessimism.Typically, governments will seek to counteract a tendency towards secular stagnation by expansionary DEMAND-MANAGEMENT policies involving, for example, tax cuts, increased government spending and reduced interest rates to stimulate consumption and investment and, perhaps, a DEVALUATION of the exchange rate to increase demand for exports and to check imports. See EQUILIBRIUM LEVEL OF NATIONAL INCOME.