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On the Sustainability and Synchronization of Fiscal Policy in Latin America

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  • Paul Alagidede
  • George Tweneboah

Abstract

This paper explores the sustainability of fiscal policy for a panel of Latin American countries over the period 1990–2012. We extend the literature on the causal relationship between government expenditure (GX) and revenue (GR) in the short run and long run. Our results show a significant long-run relationship between GX and GR, suggesting that fiscal policies are consistent with their intertemporal budget constraints. We establish bidirectional causality between revenue and expenditure in the long run, indicating a contribution from both GX and GR in establishing steady state equilibrium following substantial deviations. Our data also uphold the fiscal synchronization thesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Alagidede & George Tweneboah, 2015. "On the Sustainability and Synchronization of Fiscal Policy in Latin America," Latin American Journal of Economics-formerly Cuadernos de Economía, Instituto de Economía. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile., vol. 52(2), pages 213-240, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:ioe:cuadec:v:52:y:2015:i:2:p:213-240
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fiscal sustainability; Latin America; panel cointegration; fiscal synchronization; intertemporal budget constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • 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
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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