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The transmission mechanism of fiscal policy: a critical assessment of current theories and empirical methodologies

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  • Giuseppe Fontana

Abstract

This paper reviews the current theoretical and empirical literature on the transmission mechanisms of fiscal policy. Its main conclusion is that there is nothing closely approaching an agreement on the effects of fiscal policy. The theoretical and empirical literature on the subject is scarce and divisive. The predictions of the neoclassical theory and the new Keynesian theory, as well as the "narrative" or "dummy variable" and the "structural vector autoregression" (SVAR) types of empirical analyses of fiscal policy all rest on shaky foundationsânamely, the intertemporal government budget constraint, the Ricardian equivalence hypothesis, and severe empirical restrictions in order to identify fiscal shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Fontana, 2009. "The transmission mechanism of fiscal policy: a critical assessment of current theories and empirical methodologies," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 587-604, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:postke:v:31:y:2009:i:4:p:587-604
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bernd Hayo & Matthias Uhl, 2015. "Regional effects of federal tax shocks," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 82(2), pages 343-360, October.
    2. Julie Ann Q. Basconcillo, 2023. "A nexus between fiscal policy and inflation: a case study of Indonesia using SVAR model," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 47(4), pages 477-503.
    3. Anyalechi Kenneth Chikezie & Onwumere Uchechukwu Joe & Boloupremo Tarila, 2017. "Fiscal Policy and the Nigerian Economy: An Econometric Review," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(4), pages 186-186, March.
    4. Hernán Rincón & Diego Rodríguez & Jorge Toro & Santiago Téllez, 2017. "FISCO: modelo fiscal para Colombia," Revista ESPE - Ensayos sobre Política Económica, Banco de la Republica de Colombia, vol. 35(83), pages 161-187, June.
    5. Ricardo Silva & Vitor Manuel Carvalho & Ana Paula Ribeiro, 2013. "How large are fiscal multipliers? A panel-data VAR approach for the Euro area," FEP Working Papers 500, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    6. Bernd Hayo & Matthias Uhl, 2011. "The Effects of Legislated Tax Changes in Germany," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201142, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    7. José Carlos Coelho, 2020. "Self-defeating austerity in Portugal during the Troika's economic and financial adjustment programme," Working Papers REM 2020/0124, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    8. Hayo, Bernd & Uhl, Matthias, 2015. "Taxation and labour supply: Evidence from a representative population survey," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 336-346.
    9. Giuseppe Fontana & Malcolm Sawyer, 2011. "Fiscal Austerity," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 42-60.
    10. Gautam Negi, 2021. "Fiscal Impulse And Sectoral Output €“ Evidence From Indian States," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 28, pages 151-167, December.
    11. Nicola Acocella, "undated". "A tale of two cities: exit policies in Washington and Frankfurt," Working Papers 117/13, Sapienza University of Rome, Metodi e Modelli per l'Economia, il Territorio e la Finanza MEMOTEF.

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