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Eurosclerosis or Financial Collapse: Why Did Swedish Incomes Fall Behind?

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie Cerra

    (International Monetary Fund)

  • Sweta C. Saxena

    (University of Pittsburgh)

Abstract

Sweden represents an archetypal welfare state economy, with extensive government safety nets. Some scholars have attributed a decline in its per capita income ranking since 1970 to “eurosclerosis” or sluggish growth caused by distortionary policies. This paper argues rather, that the permanent loss in output following Sweden’s banking crisis in the early 1990s explains the decline in its per capita GDP ratings. The paper finds no macroeconomic evidence that welfare state policies have deterred growth. The results warn that empirical growth analyses should distinguish between trend output growth and permanent output loss associated, for example, with financial crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie Cerra & Sweta C. Saxena, 2005. "Eurosclerosis or Financial Collapse: Why Did Swedish Incomes Fall Behind?," Macroeconomics 0508007, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0508007
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 26
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nicola D. Coniglio & Francesco Prota, 2011. "Economic Crises and Regional Convergence in the EU: An Exploration of Facts, Theories and Policy Implications," Chapters, in: Wim Meeusen (ed.), The Economic Crisis and European Integration, chapter 5, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Vidal, Jean-François, 2010. "Crises et transformations du modèle social-démocrate suédois," Revue de la Régulation - Capitalisme, institutions, pouvoirs, Association Recherche et Régulation, vol. 8.
    4. Hardy, Bryan & Sever, Can, 2021. "Financial crises and innovation," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Mevlut Tatliyer, 2017. "Inflation targeting and the need for a new central banking framework," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(4), pages 512-539, October.
    6. Sever, Can, 2018. "The myth of economic recovery: The case of crises in neighboring countries," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 65-69.
    7. Arafet Hamida, 2018. "Currency Crises and Growth," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(3), pages 83-92, March.
    8. Susan Lund & Charles Roxburgh, 2010. "Debt and Deleveraging," World Economics, World Economics, 1 Ivory Square, Plantation Wharf, London, United Kingdom, SW11 3UE, vol. 11(2), pages 1-30, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial Crisis; Welfare State; Sweden; Output Loss;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe
    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government

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