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Avoiding Debt Traps: Financial Backstops and Structural Reforms

Author

Listed:
  • Pier Carlo Padoan

    (OECD)

  • Urban Sila

    (OECD)

  • Paul van den Noord

    (OECD)

Abstract

In this paper we develop a simple analytical framework to analyze “good” and “bad equilibria” in public-debt and growth dynamics. The “bad equilibrium” is characterised by the simultaneous occurrence, and adverse feedbacks between, high and growing fiscal deficits and debt, high risk premia on sovereign debt, slumping economic activity and plummeting confidence, whereas a “good equilibrium” is characterized by stable growth and debt and low risk premia. We use this framework to identify – both theoretically and empirically – the good and bad equilibrium levels of debt and policies that can help a country caught in a bad equilibrium to recover. The analysis shows that despite some output loss in the short run fiscal consolidation can help countries escape from the bad equilibrium trap. More broadly, we find that a combination of financial backstops, structural reform and fiscal consolidation is most effective in helping countries getting onto a sustainable path. Éviter les pièges de l'endettement : Assistance financière et réformes structurelles Dans ce document, nous élaborons un cadre d'analyse simple pour étudier les situations de « bon équilibre » et de « mauvais équilibre » dans le contexte de la dynamique de la dette publique et de la croissance. Un « mauvais équilibre » se caractérise par la conjonction des éléments suivants, et l'existence d'effets de rétroaction négatifs entre eux : un déficit budgétaire et une dette volumineux et croissants, des primes de risque élevées sur la dette souveraine, une chute de l'activité économique et un effondrement de la confiance. Inversement, un « bon équilibre » se caractérise par une croissance et une dette stables, conjuguées à des primes de risque faibles. Nous utilisons ce cadre pour cerner – tant sur le plan théorique qu'empirique – les niveaux d'endettement correspondant à ces situations de bon et de mauvais équilibre, ainsi que les mesures qui peuvent aider un pays ayant basculé dans un mauvais équilibre à redresser la situation. Nos analyses montrent que, malgré des pertes de production à court terme, l'assainissement des finances publiques peut aider les pays pris au piège d'une situation de mauvais équilibre à en sortir. De manière plus générale, nous parvenons à la conclusion que des mécanismes d'assistance financière conjugués à des réformes structurelles et à des mesures d'assainissement budgétaire constituent l'approche la plus efficace pour aider les pays à retrouver une trajectoire viable.

Suggested Citation

  • Pier Carlo Padoan & Urban Sila & Paul van den Noord, 2012. "Avoiding Debt Traps: Financial Backstops and Structural Reforms," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 976, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:976-en
    DOI: 10.1787/5k962hhtt5mr-en
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    dette souveraine; fiscal policy; multiple equilibria; politique budgétaire; sovereign debt; équilibres multiples;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C62 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Existence and Stability Conditions of Equilibrium
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory

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