Corporate Restructuring and the Budget Deficit Debate

This paper examines the assumptions underlying the view that large federal budget deficits crowd out private investment and create a twin trade deficit. These assumptions are contrasted with those of an alternative theory which emphasizes the importance of the institutional structures of the financial system in the context of the credit market. In particular, the paper argues that corporations were not crowded out of credit markets; indeed, they borrowed heavily to finance corporate restructuring (mergers, takeovers, leveraged buyouts, equity repurchases, etc.). This restructuring was encouraged by tax considerations, and the resulting loss of revenue contributed to the budget deficit.