The recession is commonly defined as “Two or more consecutive quarters of a shrinking economy.” During the month of March 2001, the world’s largest economy - The United States of America - began experiencing a downturn, leading into a recession. (“Economists call it recession”). In comparing previous recessions that occurred, it appears that similar patterns exist also in the 2001-2002 recession. Such patterns start with increasing interest rates by the Federal Reserve Open Committee, proceeded by growth slowdowns, the fall of real output, and eventually the rise in unemployment. According to Robert E. Scott and Christian Weller, “further increases in real short - term interest rates herald a slowdown.” Further evidence that suggests a recession was on the horizon was information released from the National Bureau of Economic Research that states, “A peak marks the end of an expansion and the beginning of a recession.”(The Business Cycle Peak, March 2001.) During an expansion, however the economy is experiencing normalcy, and during this period the economy is between a trough and peak.

The National Bureau of Economic Research, however, defines a recession a

“What recession?” were the words heard everywhere I went. Seems the only trouble I experienced was buying the right presents at a bargain price for friends and family. E-tailers would also share this same expression. According to the United States Department of Commerce, e-commerce sales gained 19.3 percent. So while the recession has been declared over, for some it never started.

Some topics in this essay:
Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Hagenbaugh Hager, Domestic Product, Economic Analysis, Steve Saville, Cycle Peak, Watts Furthermore, Bill Cheney, President Bush, terrorist attacks, federal reserve, consumer confidence, september 11th, stock market, attacks september 11th, bureau economic, march 2001, 11th 2001, attacks september, september 11th 2001, terrorist attacks september, effects terrorist attacks, effects terrorist, bureau economic analysis,