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A T-shirt model of savings, debt, and private spending: lessons for the euro area

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  • Andrea Terzi

    (Franklin University Switzerland, Sorengo, Switzerland and Levy conomics Institute of Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, USA)

Abstract

Notwithstanding the modified ECB practice that saved the day, the euro area is failing to restore economic prosperity. The problem is visibly political, yet an effective solution must be economically viable. This essay articulates the reason behind the prolonged deflationary bias of euro area policies by means of a simple (‘T-shirt’) model, where private spending depends on desired savings and sustainable indebtedness. This savings–debt constraint means that any policy that inhibits debt also inhibits financial savings, spending, and jobs. After providing a solution to the conundrum of the consequence of savings in a monetary economy, this essay makes a case for reclaiming the fiscal instrument. The EU Commission's belief that it is possible to create jobs without creating new debt underscores a serious conceptual fault and a delusion that the savings–debt constraint to spending can be ignored. As long as policy-makers defy the savings–debt constraint, the euro area will continue to live dangerously.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Terzi, 2016. "A T-shirt model of savings, debt, and private spending: lessons for the euro area," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 13(1), pages 39-56, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:ejeepi:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p39-56
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    Cited by:

    1. Nataliia Pochernina & Tetiana Krasnoded, 2019. "Оцінка Ефективності Механізму Мобілізації Заощаджень Домогосподарств На Макрорівні [Evaluating the Efficiency of the Mechanism for Mobilizing Household Savings at the Macro level]," Traektoriâ Nauki = Path of Science, Altezoro, s.r.o. & Dialog, vol. 5(3), pages 5001-5010, March.
    2. Richard Senner & Didier Sornette, 2019. "The Holy Grail of Crypto Currencies: Ready to Replace Fiat Money?," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(4), pages 966-1000, October.
    3. Bofinger, Peter & Ries, Mathias, 2017. "Excess saving and low interest rates: Theory and empirical evidence," CEPR Discussion Papers 12111, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    eurozone crisis; savings and investment; financial savings; savings–debt constraint; private and public debt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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