Fiscal Rules in a Volatile World

Fiscal Rules in a Volatile World
Author: Carlos Garcia
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2011-03-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455221007

It is widely agreed that a fiscal rule should boost discipline and credibility, reduce macroeconomic volatility, and be easily understood. To support such goals, a government may run structural surpluses and accumulate a precautionary cushion of assets on behalf of agents who do not enjoy access to capital markets. As an additional criterion, that level of assets should be bounded. We provide an example of a structural surplus rule that satisfies all such criteria. In our general equilibrium simulations, we show that such a rule benefits credit-constrained consumers but may hurt others.

Fiscal Policy, Stabilization, and Growth

Fiscal Policy, Stabilization, and Growth
Author: Guillermo E. Perry
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2007-10-19
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821370855

Fiscal policy in Latin America has been guided primarily by short-term liquidity targets whose observance was taken as the main exponent of fiscal prudence, with attention focused almost exclusively on the levels of public debt and the cash deficit. Very little attention was paid to the effects of fiscal policy on growth and on macroeconomic volatility over the cycle. Important issues such as the composition of public expenditures (and its effects on growth), the ability of fiscal policy to stabilize cyclical fluctuations, and the currency composition of public debt were largely neglected. As a result, fiscal policy has often amplified cyclical volatility and dampened growth. 'Fiscal Policy, Stabilization, and Growth' explores the conduct of fiscal policy in Latin America and its consequences for macroeconomic stability and long-term growth. In particular, the book highlights the procyclical and anti-investment biases embedded in the region's fiscal policies, explores their causes and macroeconomic consequences, and asesses their possible solutions.

Fiscal Sustainability in Theory and Practice

Fiscal Sustainability in Theory and Practice
Author: Craig Burnside
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2005
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780821358740

Topics discussed in this publication include: an introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of fiscal sustainability; theoretical prerequisites for fiscal sustainability analysis; debt indicators in the measurement of vulnerability; cyclical adjustment of budget surplus; pro-cyclical fiscal policy using Mexico's fiscal accounts as a case study; fiscal rules and the experience of Chile; currency crises and models for deal with financing costs.

Is Fiscal Policy the Answer?

Is Fiscal Policy the Answer?
Author: Blanca Moreno-Dodson
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2012-11-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821396315

The effects of fiscal policy measures, both taxes and public spending, adopted by developing countries in response to the 2009 global crisis are still uncertain. This book discusses them using an analytical framework that allows for distilling possible implications on growth and social welfare.

Monetary Policy for a Volatile Global Economy

Monetary Policy for a Volatile Global Economy
Author: William S. Haraf
Publisher: American Enterprise Institute
Total Pages: 230
Release: 1990
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780844737133

This volume focuses on the crucial relationships between domestic and international economic developments and on their implications for monetary, fiscal, and exchange rate policies. The volume includes Richard N.Cooper on challenges to the international monetary system, Hali Edison and Michael Melvin on the choice of an exchange rate system, Gottfried Haberler on international and European monetary systems, Alan C.Stockman on exchange rates and the current account, Guido Tabellini on export of an inflation tax; and Thomas D.Willett and Clas Wihlborg on international capital flows and the dollar. It is a companion volume to Monetary Policy for a Changing Financial Environment.

Fiscal Rules

Fiscal Rules
Author: Mr.Jiro Honda
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 53
Release: 2017-09-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484318889

Over the past decade, Lesotho and Swaziland have faced significant volatility in their fiscal revenues, owing to highly unstable Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts. Based on model analysis, this paper explores the advantages of implementing fiscal rules to deal with such volatility. It finds that the use of a structural balance target could smooth the growth impact from revenue shocks while helping preserve sufficient international reserves during bad times. From a long-term perspective, it suggests possible welfare gains from introducing fiscal rules. Last, it concludes that, based on experiences in other countries, developing strong institutions and improving public financial management are necessary steps to ease the transitions to a rules-based fiscal policy framework.

Global Waves of Debt

Global Waves of Debt
Author: M. Ayhan Kose
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2021-03-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1464815453

The global economy has experienced four waves of rapid debt accumulation over the past 50 years. The first three debt waves ended with financial crises in many emerging market and developing economies. During the current wave, which started in 2010, the increase in debt in these economies has already been larger, faster, and broader-based than in the previous three waves. Current low interest rates mitigate some of the risks associated with high debt. However, emerging market and developing economies are also confronted by weak growth prospects, mounting vulnerabilities, and elevated global risks. A menu of policy options is available to reduce the likelihood that the current debt wave will end in crisis and, if crises do take place, will alleviate their impact.

Fiscal Rules and the Sovereign Default Premium

Fiscal Rules and the Sovereign Default Premium
Author: Juan Carlos Hatchondo
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1463948875

This paper finds optimal fiscal rule parameter values and measures the effects of imposing fiscal rules using a default model calibrated to an economy that in the absence of a fiscal rule pays a significant sovereign default premium. The paper also studies the case in which the government conducts a voluntary debt restructuring to capture the capital gains from the increase in its debt market value implied by a rule announcement. In addition, the paper shows how debt ceilings may reduce the procyclicality of fiscal policy and thus consumption volatility.

Cyclical Fiscal Rules for Oil-Exporting Countries

Cyclical Fiscal Rules for Oil-Exporting Countries
Author: Stephen Snudden
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2013-11-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475513380

Structural budget-balance rules with countercyclical elements appear well suited to stabilize the macroeconomic volatility of oil-exporting countries and have been used successfully by other commodity exporters. Using a global DSGE model, the efficient design of such rules is found to depend on the source of oil price fluctuations and the oil exporters’ structural characteristics. The output-inflation tradeoff is of particular concern for oil exporters relative to non-oil exporters due to the pass through of oil prices into headline inflation. Fiscal rules are best when coordinated with inflation targeting monetary policy, but are still desirable for fixed exchange rate regimes.

Fiscal Rules

Fiscal Rules
Author: Mr.Jiro Honda
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 53
Release: 2017-09-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 148430957X

Over the past decade, Lesotho and Swaziland have faced significant volatility in their fiscal revenues, owing to highly unstable Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts. Based on model analysis, this paper explores the advantages of implementing fiscal rules to deal with such volatility. It finds that the use of a structural balance target could smooth the growth impact from revenue shocks while helping preserve sufficient international reserves during bad times. From a long-term perspective, it suggests possible welfare gains from introducing fiscal rules. Last, it concludes that, based on experiences in other countries, developing strong institutions and improving public financial management are necessary steps to ease the transitions to a rules-based fiscal policy framework.