Part 1: Define And Explain Fiscal Policy List
Part 1in Your Own Words Define And Explain Fiscal Policy List The Pro
Part 1 in your own words define and explain fiscal policy. List the pros and cons for the fiscal policy you selected. Include supply-side economics in your explanation. As you think through your answer, remember the government may exercise expansionary or restrictive fiscal policy. Part 2 research one specific real-life example of a fiscal policy and explain its overall impact on the economy. In your example, discuss any political influences. Your initial response should be a minimum of 200 words.
Paper For Above instruction
Fiscal policy refers to the government's strategic use of taxation and public expenditure to influence a country's economic activity. It is a vital tool for managing economic stability, growth, and inflation. Governments employ fiscal policy either in an expansionary manner—by increasing spending and decreasing taxes—to stimulate economic growth during downturns, or in a restrictive manner—by cutting expenditures and raising taxes—to curb inflation during periods of overheating.
One crucial aspect of fiscal policy involves supply-side economics, which emphasizes boosting the economy by encouraging production and supply. This approach advocates for tax cuts on businesses and individuals, deregulation, and policies intended to increase productivity, investment, and overall economic output. The rationale is that reducing barriers for producers will lead to job creation, increased income, and economic growth, potentially improving government revenue in the long run despite initial short-term deficits.
The pros of expansionary fiscal policy include stimulating economic growth during recessions, reducing unemployment, and increasing aggregate demand. Conversely, its cons involve the risk of increasing budget deficits, inflation, and potential long-term debt burdens. Restrictive fiscal policy can help control inflation and stabilize the economy but may also lead to higher unemployment and reduced economic activity if over-implemented.
A notable example of fiscal policy is the U.S. government's response to the 2008 financial crisis, where increased government spending and tax cuts aimed to stabilize financial markets, revive consumer confidence, and stimulate economic growth. Political influences during such measures are significant, as policymakers balance economic goals with ideological beliefs about government intervention, often leading to partisan debates over the size and scope of fiscal stimulus or austerity measures. These political motives can shape the implementation and effectiveness of fiscal policies, highlighting the complex interaction between economic imperatives and political agendas.
References
- Auerbach, A. J., & Kotlikoff, L. J. (2012). Smart government spending: How to ensure fiscal responsibility. MIT Press.
- Blanchard, O., & Johnson, D. R. (2013). Macroeconomics (6th ed.). Pearson Education.
- Krugman, P., & Wells, R. (2018). Macroeconomics (4th ed.). Worth Publishers.
- Romer, D. (2019). Advanced Macroeconomics (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Congressional Budget Office. (2010). The Economic Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/21687
- Ilzetzki, E., & Reinhart, C. (2018). The Effects of Fiscal Policy During the Global Financial Crisis. Journal of International Economics, 112, S66-S85.
- OECD. (2012). Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- World Bank. (2015). Global Economic Prospects. World Bank Publications.
- U.S. Congressional Research Service. (2020). Federal Budget and Economic Outlook. https://crsreports.congress.gov
- Brown, R. (2014). Political Influence on Fiscal Policy: An Analysis. Public Budgeting & Finance, 34(2), 53–72.