What are austerity measures?
Q: What are austerity measures?
A: Austerity measures are government actions that attempt to reduce government budget deficits by spending less, increasing taxes, and other ways.
Q: Why are austerity measures used by governments?
A: Austerity measures are used by governments because they find it difficult to pay their debts.
Q: What are the consequences of austerity policies?
A: In most macroeconomic models, austerity policies generally increase unemployment as government spending falls. Decreased government spending reduces public and maybe private employment.
Q: How can tax increases affect consumption?
A: Tax increases can reduce consumption by cutting household disposable income.
Q: Can reducing spending result in a higher debt-to-GDP ratio?
A: Yes, reducing spending may result in a higher debt-to-GDP ratio because government expenditure is part of GDP.
Q: What happened to European countries after implementing austerity measures after the Great Recession?
A: After the Great Recession, austerity measures in many European countries were followed by increasing unemployment and debt-to-GDP ratios despite smaller budget deficits.
Q: What happens when an economy is operating at or near capacity and stimulus spending increases?
A: When an economy is operating at or near capacity, higher short-term deficit spending (stimulus) can cause interest rates to rise, resulting in a reduction in private investment, which then reduces economic growth. However, where there is excess capacity, the stimulus can result in an increase in employment and output.
