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Public Debt Through the Ages

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  • Mr. Barry J. Eichengreen
  • Ms. Asmaa A ElGanainy
  • Rui Pedro Esteves
  • Kris James Mitchener

Abstract

We consider public debt from a long-term historical perspective, showing how the purposes for which governments borrow have evolved over time. Periods when debt-to-GDP ratios rose explosively as a result of wars, depressions and financial crises also have a long history. Many of these episodes resulted in debt-management problems resolved through debasements and restructurings. Less widely appreciated are successful debt consolidation episodes, instances in which governments inheriting heavy debts ran primary surpluses for long periods in order to reduce those burdens to sustainable levels. We analyze the economic and political circumstances that made these successful debt consolidation episodes possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Barry J. Eichengreen & Ms. Asmaa A ElGanainy & Rui Pedro Esteves & Kris James Mitchener, 2019. "Public Debt Through the Ages," IMF Working Papers 2019/006, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/006
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    3. Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso & Marta Gómez-Puig & Simón Sosvilla-Rivero, 2019. "“Re-examining the debt-growth nexus: A grouped fixed-effect approach”," IREA Working Papers 201911, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Jul 2019.
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    5. Ron P. Smith, 2020. "Debt, Deficits and Defence: The UK Experience 1700-2016," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 414-422, June.
    6. Gómez-Puig, Marta & Sosvilla-Rivero, Simón & Martínez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada, 2022. "On the heterogeneous link between public debt and economic growth," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
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    8. Yelkesen, OÄŸuzhan, 2022. "The Dynamic Link between Bond Spreads and Fiscal Indicators: An Empirical Investigation of Turkey," Asian Journal of Applied Economics, Kasetsart University, Center for Applied Economics Research, vol. 29(2).
    9. Cezara Vinturis, 2023. "How do fiscal rules shape governments' spending behavior?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(2), pages 322-341, April.
    10. Torben M. Andersen, 2020. "Fiscal Sustainability and Low Government Borrowing Rates," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 21(01), pages 31-34, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WP; government; debt; long-term debt; debt ratio; Soveriegn Debt; Debt History; Soveriegn Debt Crises; Sovereign Debt Composition; short-term debt; union government financing; public goods; gold standard; modernization agenda; Great Depression debt surge; Domestic debt; Debt reduction; Europe; Global;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F0 - International Economics - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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