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What do fiscal policies affect?

By Sebastian Wright |

Fiscal policy affects aggregate demand through changes in government spending and taxation. Those factors influence employment and household income, which then impact consumer spending and investment. Monetary policy impacts the money supply in an economy, which influences interest rates and the inflation rate.

What are the two types of fiscal policy and how do they affect the economy?

The two main tools of fiscal policy are taxes and spending. Taxes influence the economy by determining how much money the government has to spend in certain areas and how much money individuals should spend.

What are the effects of government fiscal policy?

Of course, the possible negative effects of such a policy, in the long run, could be a sluggish economy and high unemployment levels. Nonetheless, the process continues as the government uses its fiscal policy to fine-tune spending and taxation levels, with the goal of evening out the business cycles.

How does a revenue neutral fiscal policy affect the economy?

Even with a revenue neutral fiscal policy stance, however, the government has a powerful tool to affect both individuals and business by the type of spending or tax policy changes it makes. Expansionary policies may result in a government budget deficit, though not always.

How is fiscal policy used to stabilize business cycles?

The case for using discretionary fiscal policy to stabilize business cycles is further weakened by the fact that another tool, monetary policy, is far more agile than fiscal policy. Whether for good or for ill, fiscal policy’s ability to affect the level of output via aggregate demand wears off over time.

How does government monetary policy affect the economy?

Monetary policy is the decisions a government makes concerning the money supply and interest rates. If the government wants to stimulate an economy heading towards recession, the government’s central bank, or the Federal Reserve, will engage in an expansionary policy by increasing the money supply.