Under threat : Rules-based fiscal policy and how to preserve it
(2019) In European Journal of Political Economy 57. p.142-157- Abstract
Rules-based fiscal policy is under threat. Over the last two decades, it proved frustratingly complicated to strike the right balance between three essential properties of sound fiscal policy rules: simplicity, flexibility, and enforceability. Simplicity has been sacrificed to ensure that more contingent (i.e. flexible) rules remained enforceable. The resulting arrangements have failed to adequately guide fiscal policy, undermining formal compliance, and ultimately, popular and political support for rules. To mitigate the risk that countries abandon rules-based policymaking, we suggest downplaying enforceability—i.e. the role of formal sanctions through enforcement—and enhancing the reputational costs of breaching rules. At the limit,... (More)
Rules-based fiscal policy is under threat. Over the last two decades, it proved frustratingly complicated to strike the right balance between three essential properties of sound fiscal policy rules: simplicity, flexibility, and enforceability. Simplicity has been sacrificed to ensure that more contingent (i.e. flexible) rules remained enforceable. The resulting arrangements have failed to adequately guide fiscal policy, undermining formal compliance, and ultimately, popular and political support for rules. To mitigate the risk that countries abandon rules-based policymaking, we suggest downplaying enforceability—i.e. the role of formal sanctions through enforcement—and enhancing the reputational costs of breaching rules. At the limit, the rule could consist of a simple quantitative benchmark for a key fiscal indicator. To boost reputational effects, independent fiscal councils should focus on debunking the “fiscal alchemy,” clearing the public debate from partisan smokescreens, and fostering popular support for sound fiscal policies.
(Less)
- author
- Debrun, Xavier and Jonung, Lars LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2019
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Euro area, Fiscal policy, Fiscal policy rules, Independent fiscal councils
- in
- European Journal of Political Economy
- volume
- 57
- pages
- 142 - 157
- publisher
- Tranfer Verlag, Regensburg, FRG
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85053663598
- ISSN
- 0176-2680
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2018.09.001
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- da479c86-bce5-4d03-ab6e-f90f835b4456
- date added to LUP
- 2018-10-23 09:23:57
- date last changed
- 2022-04-25 17:59:08
@article{da479c86-bce5-4d03-ab6e-f90f835b4456,
abstract = {{<p>Rules-based fiscal policy is under threat. Over the last two decades, it proved frustratingly complicated to strike the right balance between three essential properties of sound fiscal policy rules: simplicity, flexibility, and enforceability. Simplicity has been sacrificed to ensure that more contingent (i.e. flexible) rules remained enforceable. The resulting arrangements have failed to adequately guide fiscal policy, undermining formal compliance, and ultimately, popular and political support for rules. To mitigate the risk that countries abandon rules-based policymaking, we suggest downplaying enforceability—i.e. the role of formal sanctions through enforcement—and enhancing the reputational costs of breaching rules. At the limit, the rule could consist of a simple quantitative benchmark for a key fiscal indicator. To boost reputational effects, independent fiscal councils should focus on debunking the “fiscal alchemy,” clearing the public debate from partisan smokescreens, and fostering popular support for sound fiscal policies.</p>}},
author = {{Debrun, Xavier and Jonung, Lars}},
issn = {{0176-2680}},
keywords = {{Euro area; Fiscal policy; Fiscal policy rules; Independent fiscal councils}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{142--157}},
publisher = {{Tranfer Verlag, Regensburg, FRG}},
series = {{European Journal of Political Economy}},
title = {{Under threat : Rules-based fiscal policy and how to preserve it}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2018.09.001}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2018.09.001}},
volume = {{57}},
year = {{2019}},
}