This paper analyzes recent macroeconomic developments in the eurozone, particularly in Germany. Several economic indicators are sending signals of a looming German recession. Geopolitical tensions caused by trade disputes between the United States and China, plus the risk of a disorderly Brexit,...

We examine the effects of the economy on the government budget as well as the effects of the budget on the economy. First, we provide measures of the effects of automatic stabilizers on budget outcomes at the federal and state and local levels. For the federal government, the deficit increases...

We examine the effects of the economy on the government budget as well as the effects of the budget on the economy. First, we provide measures of the effects of automatic stabilizers on budget outcomes at the federal and state and local levels. For the federal government, the deficit increases...

The Swiss debt brake is widely appreciated as one of the most rationally designed fiscal rules in the world and was thus also discussed as blueprint in the debates about fiscal rules in Germany, the European Union member states and Israel. However, evidence that this rule really contributes to...

Die sprunghafte Verschlechterung der Tragfähigkeit der öffentlichen Finanzen, von einem konjunkturbereinigt nahezu ausgeglichenen Haushalt im Jahr 2007 zu einem für 2010 geschätzten konjunkturbereinigten Defizit von 4,5%, wirft die Frage nach dem Aussagegehalt des so genannten strukturellen...

Die sprunghafte Verschlechterung der Tragfähigkeit der öffentlichen Finanzen, von einem konjunkturbereinigt nahezu ausgeglichenen Haushalt im Jahr 2007 zu einem für 2010 geschätzten konjunkturbereinigten Defizit von 4,5%, wirft die Frage nach dem Aussagegehalt des so genannten strukturellen...

The Swiss debt brake is a fiscal rule at central government level which aims at stabilizing debt. However, business cycle fluctuations are also accounted for. This paper discusses criticism of the debt brake that it cannot feasibly simultaneously achieve either anti-cyclical or sustainable...