We examine the ability of the expansionary fiscal contraction (EFC) hypothesis to explain the performance of OECD economies during fiscal crises. We find some limited evidence in its favour: if public consumption is reduced in response to a fiscal crisis (as defined by a high level of debt),...

This ppaer studies how the composition of fiscal adjustments influences their likelihood of success, defined as a long lasting deficit reduction, and their macroeconomic consequences. We find that fiscal adjustments which rely primarily on spending cuts on transfers and the government wage bill...

This paper investigates the short-run effects of fiscal adjustment shocks on macroeconomic aggregates in a group of 24 OECD economies from 1990 to 2019. The analysis controls for recession and expansions, high and low public debt ratio, tight and loose monetary conditions, and trade openness. We...