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Fiscal expansion, government debt and economic growth: a post-Keynesian perspective

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  • Pintu Parui

Abstract

Constructing a post-Keynesian macro-model, we investigate the impact of fiscal expansion on aggregate demand and economic growth, explore public debt sustainability, and analyze whether fiscal policy plays any role in stabilizing the economy. We explore how the interaction between capital accumulation and government debt opens the possibility of multiple equilibria and instability in the economy. We investigate the impact of various parameters on short-run aggregate demand and long-run equilibrium growth rate, and public debt-capital ratio. We explore the relationship between a progressive tax system and a wage-led demand regime. In some cases, a sufficiently high government expenditure to GDP ratio is essential for achieving stability in the system. A sufficiently high government expenditure to GDP ratio ensures economic stability in other circumstances. The possibility of the limit cycle is also explored. Higher autonomous investment demand is desirable as it enhances the stable region of the economy.

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  • Pintu Parui, 2024. "Fiscal expansion, government debt and economic growth: a post-Keynesian perspective," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(1), pages 117-154, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:postke:v:47:y:2024:i:1:p:117-154
    DOI: 10.1080/01603477.2023.2221444
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C62 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Existence and Stability Conditions of Equilibrium
    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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