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Fiscal Policy in Latin America over the Cycle

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  • Mr. Alexander D Klemm

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of the cyclical stance of fiscal policy in Latin America. Its contributions include developing a new measure of the cyclicality of fiscal policy, careful analysis of the statistical significance of results, and accounting for the effect of commodity prices on fiscal balances. The new cyclicality measure takes into account both discretionary policy action and automatic stabilizers, but excludes additional revenues that are due to applying an unchanged average tax rate to nominal GDP in excess of potential. The paper finds that fiscal policy has been procyclical on average in Latin America, but counter or acyclical in advanced economies. Country-specific results are mostly insignificant, except in a few cases where policy is clearly procyclical. For some countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico), there is evidence of a recent move toward more countercyclical policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Alexander D Klemm, 2014. "Fiscal Policy in Latin America over the Cycle," IMF Working Papers 2014/059, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2014/059
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonel Muinelo-Gallo & Ronald Miranda, 2020. "The Behaviour of Social Transfers over the Business Cycle: Empirical Evidence of Uruguay," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 233(2), pages 25-54, June.
    2. Shafik Hebous & Alexander Klemm & Saila Stausholm, 2020. "Revenue Implications of Destination-Based Cash-Flow Taxation," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 68(4), pages 848-874, December.
    3. Sebastian Hauptmeier & A. Jesús Sánchez Fuentes & Ludger Schuknecht, 2015. "Spending Dynamics in Euro Area Countries: Composition and Determinants," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 215(4), pages 119-138, December.
    4. Ardanaz, Martín & Hallerberg, Mark & Scartascini, Carlos, 2020. "Fiscal consolidations and electoral outcomes in emerging economies: Does the policy mix matter? Macro and micro level evidence from Latin America," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Checherita-Westphal, Cristina & Klemm, Alexander & Viefers, Paul, 2016. "Governments’ payment discipline: The macroeconomic impact of public payment delays and arrears," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB), pages 147-165.
    6. Martín Ardanaz & Ana Corbacho & Alberto Gonzales & Nuria Tolsa Caballero, 2015. "Structural Fiscal Balances in Latin America and the Caribbean: New Dataset and Estimations," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 89816, Inter-American Development Bank.
    7. Ardanaz, Martín & Izquierdo, Alejandro, 2022. "Current expenditure upswings in good times and public investment downswings in bad times? New evidence from developing countries," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 118-134.
    8. Levy, Antoine & Ricci, Luca Antonio & Werner, Alejandro, 2020. "The Sources of Fiscal Fluctuations," CEPR Discussion Papers 15450, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    9. Enrique Alberola & Iván Kataryniuk & Ángel Melguizo & René Orozco, 2018. "Fiscal Policy and the Cycle in Latin America: the Role of Financing Conditions and Fiscal Rules," Revista ESPE - Ensayos sobre Política Económica, Banco de la Republica de Colombia, vol. 36(85), pages 101-116, April.
    10. Ardanaz, Martín & Izquierdo, Alejandro, 2017. "Current Expenditure Upswings in Good Times and Capital Expenditure Downswings in Bad Times?: New Evidence from Developing Countries," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 8558, Inter-American Development Bank.
    11. Dinca Gheorghita & Dinca Marius Sorin & Popione Catalina, 2016. "Analyzing Fiscal Balance Evolution for Developed and Emerging Countries," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 63(3), pages 299-310, November.
    12. Ray, Nikhil. & Velasquez, Agustin. & Islam, Iyanatul,, 2015. "Fiscal rules, growth and employment : a developing country perspective," ILO Working Papers 994881313402676, International Labour Organization.
    13. Ardanaz, Martín & Corbacho, Ana & Gonzales, Alberto & Tolsa Caballero, Nuria, 2015. "Structural Fiscal Balances in Latin America and the Caribbean: New Dataset and Estimations," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 6989, Inter-American Development Bank.
    14. repec:ilo:ilowps:488131 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Muinelo-Gallo, Leonel, 2022. "Business cycles and redistribution: The role of government quality," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    16. Catalina Granda-Carvajal & Danny García-Callejas, 2023. "Informality, tax policy and the business cycle: exploring the links," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 30(1), pages 114-166, February.
    17. Huthaifa Alqaralleh & Ahmad Al-Saraireh & Hassan Alamro, 2018. "Interaction Between Fiscal Policy and Economic Fluctuation: A Case Study for Jordan," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 8(6), pages 107-111.
    18. Raúl-Alberto Chamorro-Narváez & Andrés-Camilo Santos-Ospina & Andrés-Felipe Urrea-Bermúdez, 2020. "Política fiscal subnacional y ciclos económicos regionales: análisis para el caso de los departamentos en Colombia, 2000-2016," Ensayos de Economía 19136, Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín.
    19. Portillo Riascos, Luis Hernando, 2021. "La posición cíclica de la política fiscal en Colombia durante el periodo 1990-2015," Revista Lecturas de Economía, Universidad de Antioquia, CIE, issue No. 95, pages 42-83, July.
    20. Ey, 2015. "Experiences with cash-flow taxation and prospects. Final report," Taxation Papers 55, Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission.

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