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When Are Fiscal Contractions Successful? Lessons for Countries Within and Outside the EMU

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Abstract

In the past 25 years, many OECD countries have implemented fiscal contractions to strengthen their public finances. The macroeconomic outcomes of these efforts have varied. With the aid of an econometric model, this paper seeks to identify the factors that make contractions successful from a macroeconomic standpoint. The findings suggest, among other things, that favorable changes in the real exchange rate prior to the period of fiscal contraction and in the real quantity of money during this period play an important part in the macroeconomic outcome. This indicates in turn that it may be more difficult to implement successful fiscal contractions within the EMU. The findings also show that the composition of the contraction in regard to the relative proportions of tax increases and expenditure cutbacks, respectively, is probably less important than has usually been assumed.

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  • Hjelm, Göran, 2004. "When Are Fiscal Contractions Successful? Lessons for Countries Within and Outside the EMU," Working Papers 92, National Institute of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nierwp:0092
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal Contractions; Fiscal Policy; Real Exchange Rate; EMU;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C20 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - General
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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