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Expansionary Contractions and Fiscal Free Lunches: Too Good To Be True?

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  • Richard McManus
  • Gulcin Ozkan
  • Dawid Trzeciakiewicz

Abstract

This paper builds a framework to jointly examine the possibilities of both expansionary fiscal contractions (austerity increasing output) and fiscal free lunches (expansions reducing government debt), arguments which in recent debates have been supported by the austerity and stimulus camps, respectively. We propose a new metric quantifying the budgetary implications of fiscal action, a key aspect of fiscal policy particularly at the monetary zero lower bound. We find that austerity needs to be highly persistent and credible in order to be expansionary, and stimulus needs to be temporary, responsive, and well‐targeted in order to lower debt. We conclude that neither is likely, especially during periods of economic distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard McManus & Gulcin Ozkan & Dawid Trzeciakiewicz, 2019. "Expansionary Contractions and Fiscal Free Lunches: Too Good To Be True?," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 121(1), pages 32-54, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:121:y:2019:i:1:p:32-54
    DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12269
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard McManus & F Gulcin Ozkan & Dawid Trzeciakiewicz, 2021. "Fiscal consolidations and distributional effects: which form of fiscal austerity is least harmful?," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 73(1), pages 317-349.
    2. Richard McManus, 2018. "Fiscal Trade‐Offs: The Relationship Between Output and Debt in Policy Interventions," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 86(S1), pages 50-82, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents

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