The document defines and explains recession. It notes that a recession is when a country's GDP declines for two consecutive quarters, indicating the economy is shrinking. Recessions can be caused by overproduction when supply exceeds demand, or by a loss of consumer and business confidence from factors like job losses and company bankruptcies that further reduce spending and demand. Governments try to counter recessions through fiscal policies like tax cuts and increased spending, and monetary policies where central banks lower interest rates and adjust money supply to boost demand and investment.