Question

What has been the general pattern of U.S. budget deficits in recent decades?

a) Consistent surpluses
b) Increasing deficits
c) Decreasing deficits
d) Balanced budgets

Answer 1

The U.S. has generally seen increasing budget deficits in recent decades, with temporary surpluses in the late 1990s, and particularly deep deficits during the 2008-2009 and 2020 recessions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The general pattern of U.S. budget deficits in recent decades has been characterized by increasing deficits. After a period of budget surpluses in the late 1990s, federal budget deficits re-emerged in the early 2000s. Significant deficit increases were seen during the 2008-2009 recession and more recently in the 2020 recession. Historical trends show that the U.S. has frequently operated under a budget deficit since the 1930s, with particularly large deficits during major events like World War II, economic recessions in the 1980s, early 1990s, and in the late 2000s.