Fiscal and Monetary Policy during Downturns: Evidence from the G7
23 Pages Posted: 23 Mar 2009
Date Written: March 2009
Abstract
This paper analyzes how fiscal and monetary policy typically respond during downturns in G7 countries. It evaluates whether discretionary fiscal responses to downturns are timely and temporary, and compares the response of fiscal policy to that of monetary policy. The results suggest that while responding more weakly and less quickly than monetary policy, discretionary fiscal policy is more timely than conventional wisdom would suggest, particularly in "Anglo-Saxon" countries, but the response differs substantially across fiscal instruments. Both fiscal and monetary policy are found to be subject to an easing bias, with more easing during downturns than tightening during upturns; and liable to easing in response to erroneously perceived downturns, many of which are subsequently revised to expansions.
Keywords: Fiscal stabilization, government revenue, government expenditure
JEL Classification: E62, E63, H50
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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