Macroeconomic Policies of the Economic and Monetary Union: Theoretical Underpinnings and Challenges Philip Arestis and Malcolm Sawyer, The Levy Economics Institute and Leeds University Abstract This paper presents two issues: first, an effort to decipher the type of economic analysis and...

Abstract: An analysis of fiscal policy is presented in the context of a simple Kaleckian model of growth. The positive effects of budget deficits on economic activity and on growth are shown, and the appropriate scale of budget deficit derived. Alternatives to budget deficits to secure high...

This paper examines the implications of the experience with the financial crisis of August 2007 for fiscal policy and the use made of it. We briefly sketch the changing attitudes toward fiscal policy and the demise of arbitrary rules for the budget deficits and the reassertion of purposeful...

From the "new consensus in macroeconomics" (NCM) framework, this paper derives a different set of policy proposals. The NCM has become associated with the use of interest rate policy to target inflation and to reach a zero output gap, and to ignore fiscal policy. This paper argues that interest...

This paper reconsiders the case for the use of fiscal policy based on a "functional finance" approach that advocates the use of fiscal policy to secure high levels of demand in the context of private aggregate demand, which would otherwise be too low. This "functional finance" view means that...

Recent developments in macroeconomic policy, in terms of both theory and practice, have elevated monetary policy while downgrading fiscal policy. Monetary policy has focused on the setting of interest rates as the key policy instrument, along with the adoption of inflation targets and the use of...

In this paper we advocate a way of approaching macroeconomic policy, which stands in contrast to the now discredited 'new consensus in macroeconomics' policy framework. The five pillars of our approach are: the need for budget deficits to support the level of aggregate demand; full consideration...

There has been a major shift within macroeconomic policy over the past two decades or so in terms of the relative importance given to monetary policy and to fiscal policy in both policy and theoretical terms. The former has gained considerably in importance, with the latter being rarely...

The initial mildly Keynesian fiscal policy applied to the 2008 financial crisis in the UK is outlined and the shifts in policy indicated. The focus of this article is on the use of the concept of structural budget deficit and potential output in the formulation of fiscal policy. It is argued...