In recent decades, governments have built up substantial public debt, which is often accompanied by a growing public sector and fiscal policies that neglect long-term considerations. The contributors to this CESifo volume consider whether the development of public debt in the United States and...

Die Volatilität, die in Ländern mittleren Einkommens (LMEs) mit einer Öffnung der Kapitalmärkte in den vergangen Jahren einher ging, führte bei vielen Kritikern dieser Politik zu der Forderung, die stark ausgeprägten Konjunkturzyklen und Krisen (Boom-Bust Zyklen) durch eine...

The proposed Decision seeks to implement the staff's proposals related to Article IV consultation cycles in Review of the Fund's Mandate-Follow-Up on Modernizing Surveillance, which were endorsed in principle by the Executive Board on September 1, 2010. The goal is to provide for greater...

The sharp increase in fiscal deficits and public debt in most advanced and several developing economies has raised concerns about the sustainability of public finances and highlighted the need for a significant adjustment over the medium term. This paper assesses the usefulness of fiscal rules...

This paper reports on the results of a pilot exercise on fiscal safeguards conducted by the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) during FY2013. The exercise was launched following an independent review of the existing safeguards policy in 2010 in which many Directors encouraged staff to highlight...

This supplement refers to the reforms proposed in Reform of the Policy on Public Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs to the existing framework governing external debt limits in Fund arrangements, and presents the proposed decision that is needed to implement these reforms. The proposed new...

The countries of the Middle East and North Africa, and the Caucasus and Central Asia have the highest output volatility in the world. Fiscal policy is a powerful tool that can help dampen the business cycles. This paper analyzes the cyclical properties of fiscal policy in the region during the...

The euro area recovered from the economic doldrums. Executive Directors welcomed the recovery, supported by strong financial conditions, global growth, and improved financial positions. They encouraged the reformed Stability and Growth Pact over fiscal policies, and underscored the need for...

The report on the Netherlands on the Observance of Standards and Codes discusses the fiscal transparency module and the Aide-Mémoire regarding the fiscal framework. The roles and responsibilities of and within government are, in general, clearly defined and, in many areas, the Netherlands sets...

The continuing weakness of activity in the euro area reflects an amalgam of cyclical and long-term forces that are likely to shape the outlook and to challenge policies. Financial conditions in the area have improved along with those in global markets, though financial fragilities may be...