The size of the Social Security program as a percentage of output has increased continuously since its inception. The main expansion has been on the extensive margin (number of individuals under the program), rather than on the intensive margin (benefits per old). Most of the increase was not...

This paper analyzes the effects of imposing constitutional fiscal restraints in a dynamic political economy model of fiscal policy. Policy choices in each period are made by a legislature consisting of representatives elected by geographically-defined districts. The legislature uses...

A balanced budget amendment is a constitutional rule requiring that the government collect enough revenue to finance its expenditures every year. The motivation for introducing such a rule is the desire to restrict deficit spending and limit increases in government debt. However, policymakers...