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Does it cost to be virtuous? The macroeconomic effects of fiscal constraints

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  • Canova, Fabio
  • Pappa, Evi
Abstract
We study whether and how fiscal restrictions alter the business cycle features of macrovariables for a sample of 48 US states. We also examine the ”typical” transmission properties of fiscal disturbances and the implied fiscal rules of states with different fiscal restrictions. Fiscal constraints are characterized with a number of indicators. There are similarities in second moments of macrovariables and in the transmission properties of fiscal shocks across states with different fiscal constraints. The cyclical response of expenditure differs in size and sometimes in sign, but heterogeneity within groups makes point estimates statistically insignificant. Creative budget accounting is responsible for the pattern. Implications for the design of fiscal rules and the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Canova, Fabio & Pappa, Evi, 2005. "Does it cost to be virtuous? The macroeconomic effects of fiscal constraints," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 526, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:526
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    Cited by:

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    3. Giancarlo Corsetti & André Meier & Gernot J. Müller, 2010. "Cross-Border Spillovers from Fiscal Stimulus," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 6(1), pages 5-37, March.
    4. Oksana Desyatnyuk & Taras Marshalok, 2019. "Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiscal Rules as Instruments of Anti-Cyclical Regulation of the Economy," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 3, pages 71-81, September.
    5. Canova, Fabio & Ciccarelli, Matteo, 2013. "Panel vector autoregressive models: a survey," Working Paper Series 1507, European Central Bank.
    6. Fabio Canova & Evi Pappa, 2011. "Fiscal policy, pricing frictions and monetary accommodation [Expansionary fiscal consolidations in Europe: New evidence]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 26(68), pages 555-598.
    7. Gerald Carlino & Nicholas Zarra & Robert Inman & Thorsten Drautzburg, 2019. "Fiscal Policy in Monetary Unions: State Partisanship and its Macroeconomic Effects," 2019 Meeting Papers 434, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    8. Michal Mackiewicz, 2007. "Making the Stability Pact More Flexible: Does It Lead to Pro-Cyclical Fiscal Policies?," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 28(2), pages 251-268, June.
    9. Afonso, António & Furceri, Davide, 2010. "Government size, composition, volatility and economic growth," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 517-532, December.
    10. Christopher Biolsi & H. Youn Kim, 2021. "Analyzing state government spending: balanced budget rules or forward-looking decisions?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 28(4), pages 1035-1079, August.
    11. Russell Cooper & Hubert Kempf & Dan Peled, 2008. "Is It Is Or Is It Ain'T My Obligation? Regional Debt In A Fiscal Federation," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 49(4), pages 1469-1504, November.
    12. Javier Andrés & Rafael Doménech, 2006. "Fiscal Rules and Macroeconomic Stability," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 176(1), pages 9-41, April.
    13. Mackiewicz, Michał, 2005. "Making The Stability Pact More Flexible: Can It Lead to Procyclical Fiscal Policies?," MPRA Paper 16033, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Marie‐Helene Gagnon & Celine Gimet, 2020. "Unconventional economic policies and sentiment: An international assessment," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(6), pages 1544-1591, June.
    15. P R Agénor & D Yilmaz, 2006. "The Tyranny of Rules: Fiscal Discipline, Productive Spending, and Growth," Centre for Growth and Business Cycle Research Discussion Paper Series 73, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    16. Wyplosz, Charles & Krogstrup, Signe, 2006. "A Common Pool Theory of Deficit Bias Correction," CEPR Discussion Papers 5866, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    17. Krogstrup, Signe & Wyplosz, Charles, 2010. "A common pool theory of supranational deficit ceilings," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 269-278, February.
    18. Wirginia Doryñ & Micha³ Mackiewicz & Dorota Wawrzyniak, 2018. "The Role of Institutions in Determining the Cyclical Behavior of Fiscal Policy," Lodz Economics Working Papers 2/2018, University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology.
    19. Karpowicz Andrzej, 2022. "What impacts the value of revenues from taxation of income of corporations? Evidence from European Union Member States," Wroclaw Review of Law, Administration & Economics, Sciendo, vol. 12(1), pages 30-53, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Budget restrictions; fiscal policy transmission; policy rules; dynamic panels. JEL classification codes : E3; E5; H7;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E3 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles
    • E5 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations

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