Fiscal ‘stimulus’: A loanable funds critique

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Author(s)
Makin, Tony
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2009
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This paper proposes an extended loanable-funds framework for examining the effects of fiscal stimulus on the budget balance, international borrowing, real interest rates, private saving, private investment and national income. It challenges the prevailing view that fiscal policy can be used effectively as an income 'stimulus' instrument, and proposes that discretionary fiscal measures that increase the budget deficit entail macroeconomic costs for significant external borrower economies, such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.This paper proposes an extended loanable-funds framework for examining the effects of fiscal stimulus on the budget balance, international borrowing, real interest rates, private saving, private investment and national income. It challenges the prevailing view that fiscal policy can be used effectively as an income 'stimulus' instrument, and proposes that discretionary fiscal measures that increase the budget deficit entail macroeconomic costs for significant external borrower economies, such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
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Journal Title
Agenda
Volume
16
Issue
4
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2009. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. For information about this journal please refer to the journal's website or contact the author.
Subject
Macroeconomic Theory
Applied Economics
Banking, Finance and Investment
Policy and Administration