A rules-based fiscal framework, such as the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), can be an important bulwark against short-sighted policies. Although policies have improved following the SGP’s adoption, shortcomings remain. These, however, are rooted in the policies rather than the rules,...

The Stability and Growth Pact has been a success in numerous EU countries, especially in guiding them toward underlying fiscal balance ahead of population aging. These countries tend to be smaller, subject to greater macroeconomic volatility, and reliant on a form of fiscal governance that...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FISCAL FRAMEWORKS -- III. DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE FISCAL FRAMEWORK -- IV. EXPLAINING DIVERGENT COUNTRY EXPERIENCES: EMPIRICAL RESULTS -- V. CONCLUSION -- REFERENCES.

The Stability and Growth Pact has been a success in numerous EU countries, especially in guiding them toward underlying fiscal balance ahead of population aging. These countries tend to be smaller, subject to greater macroeconomic volatility, and reliant on a form of fiscal governance that...