Why Higher Fiscal Spending Persists when a Boom in Primary Commodities Ends

Why Higher Fiscal Spending Persists when a Boom in Primary Commodities Ends
Author: Bruno Boccara
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 43
Release: 1994
Genre: Commercial policy
ISBN:

After the initial boom in fiscal spending that accompanies a commodity boom, why do commodity- exporting countries tend to maintain higher spending levels despite a drop in commodity prices? Probably because of liquidity constraints and the costs of policy reversal.

The Dynamic Effects of Commodity Prices on Fiscal Performance in Latin America

The Dynamic Effects of Commodity Prices on Fiscal Performance in Latin America
Author: Leandro Medina
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 29
Release: 2010-08-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455202266

The recent boom and bust in commodity prices has raised concerns about the impact of volatile commodity prices on Latin American countries’ fiscal positions. Using a novel quarterly data set-which includes unique country-specific commodity price indices and a comprehensive measure of public expenditures-this paper analyzes the dynamic effects of commodity price fluctuations on fiscal revenues and expenditures for eight commodity-exporting Latin American countries. The results indicate that Latin American countries’ fiscal positions react strongly to shocks to commodity prices, yet there are marked differences across countries. Fiscal variables in Venezuela display the highest sensitivity to commodity price shocks, with expenditures reacting significantly more than revenues. At the other end of the spectrum, in Chile expenditure reacts very little to commodity price fluctuations, and the dynamic responses of its fiscal indicators are very similar to those seen in high-income commodity-exporting countries. This distinct behavior across countries may relate to institutional arrangements, which in some cases include the efficient application of fiscal rules amid political commitment and high standards of transparency.

Better Policies Chile: Policy Priorities for Stronger and More Equitable Growth

Better Policies Chile: Policy Priorities for Stronger and More Equitable Growth
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2016-01-18
Genre:
ISBN: 9264251189

Backed by strong economic growth Chile has made substantial progress in improving the quality of life of its citizens. Nonetheless, gaps in living standards vis-à-vis other OECD countries remain large and there are strong differences in well-being across the Chilean population.

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Sovereign Wealth Funds
Author: Christopher Balding
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages:
Release: 2012-02-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0199942773

Sovereign wealth funds are a growing and dynamic force in international finance. The shifting international economic relations from capital rich states gives them new power in influencing the global agenda. Despite controlling trillions of dollars in the biggest companies in the world, little is known about the opaque funds of oil rich and non-democratic governments. This is the first book to compile a history of sovereign wealth funds recounting the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority's involvement with the scandal-plagued BCCI bank and Chinese arms exports to Iran. By constructing a history within the proper context of oil driven surpluses and large inflationary pressures with no international investment framework, this book explains the development and growth of sovereign wealth funds. The economics of capital surplus countries and investment strategies are examined in order to better understand sovereign wealth fund creation and growth. In a straightforward and accessible style, the author examines the complex and amazing growth of an unknown group of investors controlling trillions of dollars worldwide.

Socioeconomic Shocks and Africa’s Development Agenda

Socioeconomic Shocks and Africa’s Development Agenda
Author: Evans Osabuohien
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2022-11-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000773698

This book investigates how African countries respond to socioeconomic shocks, drawing out lessons to help to inform future policy and development efforts. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic affected all sectors of the economy, exposing substantial structural weaknesses and complexities in supply chains and logistics across the African continent. This book examines the disruptive impact of the pandemic across Africa. However, it also goes beyond the current crisis to investigate how socioeconomic pressures in general impact commodity prices, national budgeting processes, food, business, energy sectors, education, health, and sanitation. Overall, the book presents evidence-based solutions and policy recommendations to enable readers to improve resilience and responses to future crises. The insights provided by this book will be of interest to policymakers and development agencies, as well as to researchers of global development, politics, economics, business, and African studies.

Estimating the Efficiency Gains of Debt Restructuring

Estimating the Efficiency Gains of Debt Restructuring
Author: Jeremy Bulow
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 36
Release: 1994
Genre: Debt relief
ISBN:

The debt- overhang disincentive may not be as important as the broader problem of debtors' credit constraints in international capital markets. For severely indebted low- income countries, the best strategy is probably to replace nonconcessional debt with new concessional loans.

The Great Inflation

The Great Inflation
Author: Michael D. Bordo
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 545
Release: 2013-06-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0226066959

Controlling inflation is among the most important objectives of economic policy. By maintaining price stability, policy makers are able to reduce uncertainty, improve price-monitoring mechanisms, and facilitate more efficient planning and allocation of resources, thereby raising productivity. This volume focuses on understanding the causes of the Great Inflation of the 1970s and ’80s, which saw rising inflation in many nations, and which propelled interest rates across the developing world into the double digits. In the decades since, the immediate cause of the period’s rise in inflation has been the subject of considerable debate. Among the areas of contention are the role of monetary policy in driving inflation and the implications this had both for policy design and for evaluating the performance of those who set the policy. Here, contributors map monetary policy from the 1960s to the present, shedding light on the ways in which the lessons of the Great Inflation were absorbed and applied to today’s global and increasingly complex economic environment.

Managing Global Growth Risks and Commodity Price Shocks - Vulnerabilities and Policy Challenges for Low-Income Countries

Managing Global Growth Risks and Commodity Price Shocks - Vulnerabilities and Policy Challenges for Low-Income Countries
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 63
Release: 2011-09-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498338453

As part of its work to help low-income countries (LICs) manage volatility, the IMF has recently developed an analytical framework to assess vulnerabilities and emerging risks that arise from changes in the external environment (see IMF, 2011a). This report draws on the results of the first Vulnerability Exercise for LICs (VE-LIC) conducted by IMF staff using this new framework. The report focuses on the risks of a downturn in global growth and of further global commodity price shocks, and discusses related policy challenges. The report is organized as follows: Chapter I reviews recent macroeconomic developments, including the spike in global commodity prices earlier this year. Chapter II assesses current risks and vulnerabilities, including how a sharp downturn in global growth and further commodity price shocks would affect LICs. Chapter III discusses policy challenges in the face of these risks and vulnerabilities.