Which statement best describes the quantity theory of money's view on inflation?

The quantity theory of money, primarily articulated by economists like Milton Friedman, posits that inflation occurs when there is an increase in the money supply that outpaces economic growth, leading to a situation where too much money is available relative to the goods and services produced in the economy. This concept is succinctly phrased as "too much money chasing too few goods."

As the money supply increases, individuals and businesses have greater liquidity, which can lead to increased spending. However, if the production of goods and services does not keep pace with this increase in spending, the result is upward pressure on prices—leading to inflation. This relationship is central to understanding how changes in monetary policy can affect overall price levels in an economy.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the quantity theory’s perspective on inflation. For instance, asserting that inflation is unrelated to the money supply contradicts the foundational belief of the theory. Additionally, tying inflation only to economic downturns or suggesting that its effects are uniformly distributed among all economic entities strays from the nuanced understanding of economic dynamics prescribed by the quantity theory.