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The Political Economy of Government Debt

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  • Alberto Alesina
  • Andrea Passalacqua

Abstract

This paper critically reviews the literature which explains why and under which circumstances governments accumulate more debt than it would be consistent with optimal fiscal policy. We also discuss numerical rules or institutional designs which might lead to a moderation of these distortions.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Alesina & Andrea Passalacqua, 2015. "The Political Economy of Government Debt," NBER Working Papers 21821, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21821
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