What is a "liquidity trap"?

A liquidity trap occurs when interest rates are low, and savings rates are high, leading to a scenario where monetary policy becomes ineffective in stimulating economic growth. In this situation, individuals prefer to hold on to cash rather than invest or spend it, despite the central bank's efforts to encourage spending through lower interest rates. Essentially, the economy is unable to effectively utilize available liquidity, resulting in stagnation or slow growth.

High savings rates can indicate a lack of confidence in the economy, causing consumers and businesses to hoard cash instead of investing it. This behavior illustrates the defining characteristics of a liquidity trap, where traditional monetary policy tools become less effective in stimulating economic activities, as individuals and businesses are less inclined to borrow or spend money. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of what defines a liquidity trap.