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The “Benefits” of being small: Loose fiscal policy in the European Monetary Union

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  • Crombach, Lamar
  • Bohn, Frank
  • Sturm, Jan-Egbert

Abstract

Independent central banks typically counteract positive fiscal shocks that would otherwise increase the inflation rate above the target. In a theoretical model, we show that, in a monetary union, this mechanism implies weaker responses to national fiscal shocks because the overarching central bank must account for the fiscal policies of all members. The model highlights that the response is especially weak for small members, given their marginal impact on the union’s aggregate inflation rate. Empirically, we exploit the exogenous variation in elections to show that the European Central Bank reacts more vigorously to fiscal shocks from larger countries. We then provide evidence that small countries take advantage of this; they engage more in fiscal expansions during election years than large countries. In an extension, we discuss, both theoretically and empirically, why the difference between small and large countries disappears in times of crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Crombach, Lamar & Bohn, Frank & Sturm, Jan-Egbert, 2024. "The “Benefits” of being small: Loose fiscal policy in the European Monetary Union," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:234:y:2024:i:c:s0047272724000562
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105120
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Common monetary policy; Central bank independence; Country size; Elections; Forward-looking Taylor rule; Political budget cycle;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus

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