Fiscal policy is used by governments to exert influence on the level of aggregate demand in the economy, aiming to achieve specific economic goals such as price stability, full employment, and economic growth.
Keynesian View and Fiscal Expansion
- According to Keynesian economics, increasing government spending and reducing tax rates are viewed as effective ways to stimulate aggregate demand, especially during times of recession or low economic activity.
- The IS-LM model illustrates the effects of fiscal expansion, showing how it can lead to an increase in price levels and real interest rates in the long run.
Budget Surplus and Stabilization
- Governments can use a budget surplus to slow strong economic growth and stabilize prices when inflation is too high, following the principles of Keynesian theory.
Debate on Fiscal Stimulus
- There is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of fiscal stimulus, with a focus on the concept of crowding out, which questions whether government borrowing leads to higher interest rates that may offset the stimulative impact of spending.
- Neoclassical economists emphasize crowding out, while Keynesians argue that fiscal policy can still be effective, especially in a liquidity trap where crowding out is minimal.
Classical View and Net Exports
- From a classical perspective, expansionary fiscal policy can decrease net exports, as increased government borrowing attracts foreign capital, causing the country’s currency to appreciate and reducing demand for exports.
Potential Inflationary Effects
- Concerns about potential inflationary effects of fiscal stimulus arise from increased demand generated by government spending, especially when resources that would have otherwise been idle are utilized.
Lag and Inflationary Effects
- Some economists express concerns about the inside lag involved in implementing fiscal stimulus, as well as potential inflationary effects when the stimulus increases labor demand while labor supply remains fixed.
Overall, the economic effects of fiscal policy are complex and subject to ongoing debate, with considerations about its potential to stimulate aggregate demand, influence interest rates, and impact international trade.