
The rise of counter-cyclical fiscal policy
A new IMF paper illustrates the changed realities of public macro policy. In times of negative shocks at the zero bound for interest rates, fiscal policy is best suited for stabilizing economies. Monetary policy takes on a support role, securing funding conditions and financial stability. As a side effect of this policy mix, sovereign risk has emerged as a major concern in advanced economies. This suggests that in times of recovery it will also be fiscal rather than monetary tightening that dampens economic growth and overheating.