The output effect of fiscal consolidation plans
Alberto Alesina,
Carlo Favero () and
Francesco Giavazzi
Journal of International Economics, 2015, vol. 96, issue S1, S19-S42
Abstract:
We show that the correct experiment to evaluate the effects of a fiscal adjustment is the simulation of a multi-year fiscal plan rather than of individual fiscal shocks. Simulation of fiscal plans adopted by 16 OECD countries over a 30-year period supports the hypothesis that the effects of consolidations depend on their design. Fiscal adjustments based upon spending cuts are much less costly, in terms of output losses, than tax-based ones and have especially low output costs when they consist of permanent rather than stop-and-go changes in taxes and spending. The difference between tax-based and spending-based adjustments appears not to be explained by accompanying policies, including monetary policy. It is mainly due to the different responses of business confidence and private investment.
Keywords: Fiscal adjustment; Confidence; Investment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E62 H60 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (171)
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Chapter: The Output Effect of Fiscal Consolidation Plans (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:inecon:v:96:y:2015:i:s1:p:s19-s42
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2014.11.003
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