You are a macroeconomic analyst presented with the following summary data for two countries, Country Alpha and Country Beta, over a 50-year period:

• Country Alpha: Maintained a relatively stable economic environment. The annual rate of price increases averaged 2.5%, rarely exceeding 5% and never falling into prolonged periods of price decreases.
• Country Beta: Experienced extreme economic volatility. The annual rate of price increases averaged over 70%, with several distinct episodes where it surged above 200%, followed by sharp contractions and periods of rapidly falling prices.

Based on this stark contrast, formulate three distinct, fundamental questions that a macroeconomist would investigate to understand the underlying causes of these different outcomes. For each question, briefly justify why it is a critical line of inquiry.