Simple fiscal policy rules for small open economies

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of International Economics
Year: 2013
Volume: 91
Issue: 1
Pages: 113-127

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper analyzes the scope for rules-based countercyclical fiscal policy in small open economies where a subset of households is liquidity-constrained. Relative to balanced budget rules, structural surplus rules significantly improve welfare. But they minimize fiscal instrument volatility rather than business cycle volatility. More aggressively countercyclical tax revenue gap rules (strong automatic stabilizers) increase welfare gains by around 50%, with only modest increases in fiscal instrument volatility. If liquidity-constrained households' labor income is independent of raw materials prices, the government should save excess raw materials revenue on their behalf. The best fiscal instruments are transfers, consumption and labor taxes.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:inecon:v:91:y:2013:i:1:p:113-127
Journal Field
International
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25