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The Case for Fiscal Rules

Author

Listed:
  • Harald Badinger

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Wolf Heinrich Reuter

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Abstract

This paper estimates the effects of fiscal institutions on fiscal policy outcomes, addressing issues related to measurement and endogeneity in a novel way. Recently developed indices, based on partially ordered set theory, are used to quantify the stringency of fiscal rules. Identification of their effects is achieved by exploiting the exogeneity of institutional variables (checks and balances, government fragmentation, inflation targeting), which are found to be relevant determinants of fiscal rules. Our two-stage least squares estimates for (up to) 79 countries over the period 1985-2012 provide strong evidence that countries with more stringent fiscal rules have higher fiscal balances (lower deficits), lower interest rate spreads on government bonds, and lower output volatility.

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Badinger & Wolf Heinrich Reuter, 2015. "The Case for Fiscal Rules," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp204, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp204
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal rules; fiscal balances; interest rates; volatility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • H60 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - General

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