Learning from the Reagan Deficits

19 Pages Posted: 8 Jun 2004 Last revised: 30 Dec 2022

See all articles by Benjamin M. Friedman

Benjamin M. Friedman

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: March 1992

Abstract

This paper draws six observations from the U.S. fiscal policy actions of the 1980s and their apparent macroeconomic aftermath. in each case focusing on implications for familiar debates about economic behavior: (1) Across-the-board cuts in personal income tax rates reduced the government's tax revenues. (2) Reducing tax revenues did not restrain government spending, at least not by enough to avoid the emergence of historically large deficits. (3) Greater government deficits did not result in greater private saving. (4) Greater deficits did result in -- or at least coincide with -- higher real interest rates. (5) Greater deficits did result in reduced private investment (6) Greater deficits also resulted in lower net foreign investment.

Suggested Citation

Friedman, Benjamin M., Learning from the Reagan Deficits (March 1992). NBER Working Paper No. w4022, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=226890

Benjamin M. Friedman (Contact Author)

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