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On public debt in the euro area

Author

Listed:
  • Catherine Mathieu

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po)

  • Henri Sterdyniak

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po)

Abstract

The 2008 crisis led to a strong rise in public deficits and debts in most developed economies. These debts and deficits are currently Keynesian (i.e. required for macroeconomic stabilisation), as shown by low inflation and interest rates levels. Euro area public debts are not guaranteed by a lender of last resort. The rules enshrined in the Stability Pact and the Fiscal Treaty have no economic basis. The paper discusses federalist proposals such as a European Debt Agency or a European Treasury, and unconventional solutions, such as debt monetisation, buyback by the ECB, and even debt cancellation. It concludes in advocating for a rule-free economic policy coordination.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Mathieu & Henri Sterdyniak, 2019. "On public debt in the euro area," Post-Print hal-03403548, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03403548
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-03403548
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public debt; Euro area governance; Euro area fiscal policy; debt management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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