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Effects of Austerity: Expenditure- and Tax-based Approaches

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  • Favero, Carlo A.
  • Giavazzi, Francesco
  • Alesina, Alberto

Abstract

We review the debate surrounding the macroeconomic effects of deficit reduction policies (austerity). The discussion about "austerity" in general has distracted commentators and policymakers from a very important result, namely the enormous difference, on average, between expenditure- and tax-based austerity plans. Spending-based austerity plans are remarkably less costly than tax-based plans. The former have on average a close to zero effect on output and lead to a reduction of the debt over GDP ratio. Tax-based plans have the opposite effect and cause large and long lasting recessions. These results also apply to the recent episodes of European austerity which in this respect were not especially different from previous cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Favero, Carlo A. & Giavazzi, Francesco & Alesina, Alberto, 2019. "Effects of Austerity: Expenditure- and Tax-based Approaches," CEPR Discussion Papers 13565, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13565
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Austerity; Fiscal adjustment plans; Output growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory

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