Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors: | Torres, José L., author.
International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Affairs Department, issuing body.
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ISBN: | 1463951493 9781463951498 1463933819 9781463933814 9781463988890 1463988893 9781463933814
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Digital file characteristics: | data file
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Notes: | At head of title: Fiscal Affairs Department. Title from PDF title page (IMF Web site, viewed January 31, 2012). "January 2012." Includes bibliographical references.
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Summary: | In this paper we use a general equilibrium model with heterogeneous agents to assess the macroeconomic and welfare consequences in the United States of alternative fiscal policies over the medium-term. We find that failing to address the fiscal imbalances associated with current federal fiscal policies for a prolonged period would result in a significant crowding-out of private investment and a severe drag on growth. Compared to adopting a reform that gradually reduces federal debt to its pre-crisis level, postponing debt stabilization for two decades would entail a permanent output loss of about 17 percent and a welfare loss of almost 7 percent of lifetime consumption. Moreover, the long-run welfare gains from the adjustment would more than compensate the initial losses associated with the consolidation period.
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