The Effect of Government Expenditure and Monetary Expansion on Economic Growth

Bas van Leeuwen, Dmitry Didenko, Matteo Calabrese () and Meimei Wang ()
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Matteo Calabrese: Bocconi University
Meimei Wang: Institute of Economics

Chapter Chapter 8 in Innovation and Economic Development in Eurasia, 500 BCE-Present, 2025, pp 229-295 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Government expenditure and monetary expansion have been key drivers of economic growth, shaping fiscal and monetary policies across historical and cultural contexts. This chapter examines how state interventions—via tax-funded projects or money supply adjustments—have stabilized economies and spurred long-term growth. Fiscal policy, channelling government spending into gross domestic product growth, has been fundamental, supporting deep monetization, infrastructure, education, and public services. Debates around its effectiveness highlight a key economic issue: balancing stability with the risks of inflation or inefficiencies from extensive spending. Monetary policy, on the other hand, affects inflation and economic cycles through adjustments in money supply and interest rates, with long-run data showing that temporary monetary boosts often yield limited long-term impact without structural changes. Cultural attitudes towards money—as debt or commodity—significantly impact policy effectiveness. Debt-oriented economies tend to respond more dynamically to policy adjustments, while commodity-based economies (such as those anchored to the gold standard) show lower responsiveness. Regional case studies illustrate these dynamics: the USSR and China, under centralized command economies, focused on stability and growth control, whereas Western Europe relied on taxation to fund welfare and military efforts, reflecting distinct fiscal priorities and capacities.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-97043-6_8

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