Footnote:
In: International Journal of Sustainable Economy, Forthcoming
Nach Informationen von SSRN wurde die ursprüngliche Fassung des Dokuments May 1, 2009 erstellt
Description:
It is often argued that fiscal stabilisation in the euro area compares unfavourably with the US, not least because of the perceived limitations of the Stability and Growth Pact. This paper qualifies this perception by taking a closer look at fiscal policy making since the mid-1990s. It examines a number of elements which are generally overlooked or not considered in the analysis of fiscal stabilisation. In particular, on top of discretionary fiscal policy, which generally is at the core of existing studies, it also takes into account the size of automatic stabilisers. Moreover, it considers the difference between policy intentions, as formulated or perceived in real time, and actual outturns, and possible reasons for the gap between the two. On the basis of such a more specific analysis, fiscal stabilisation in the euro area appears less dire than commonly assumed. It also suggests a number of points on how to improve the track record, including by strengthening fiscal governance