How does the Phillips Curve illustrate the relationship between inflation and unemployment?

The Phillips Curve illustrates an inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment, which is the reason for selecting that answer. This economic concept signifies that, generally, when unemployment is low, inflation tends to be high, and vice versa. The rationale behind this is rooted in the trade-off that policymakers sometimes face; in seeking to reduce unemployment, wage increases can follow, which in turn raises consumer spending and leads to higher prices, thereby increasing inflation.

Historically, this relationship was observed during the 1960s, where the curve was used to suggest that running an economy with lower unemployment rates would usually generate higher inflation. Since this theory has evolved, with a more nuanced understanding of the relationship taking into account expectations of inflation, it fundamentally remains a core component of macroeconomic analysis regarding inflation and unemployment dynamics.

This contrasts with ideas suggesting direct correlations or independence, both of which do not capture the essence of the Phillips Curve’s implications in macroeconomic policy discussions.