Expansionary and Contractionary Fiscal Policies

Expansionary and Contractionary Fiscal Policies

Fiscal policies are carried out by the legislative and sometimes, the executive branch of the government. The two main instruments of fiscal policy are taxes and government expenditure. The government amasses taxes to finance its expenditures. Therefore, fiscal policy can affect production and may be used as an instrument for economic stabilization. It can either be contractionary or expansionary.

The Government Budget

A government budget is a document prepared by a political entity. A budget presents the amount of revenue the political entity aims to raise and the modalities it will use to raise it. Above all, a budget proposes how the revenue would be spent in the coming financial year.

Budget Deficit

A government’s expense can surpass its revenue in a financial year creating a budget deficit. A budget deficit is a negative difference between expenditures and tax revenues for a fixed period of time. The government finances the budget deficit by borrowing when it issues long-term and interest-bearing bonds. These outstanding bonds and payments are known as the national debt.

Budget Surplus

When government expenditures are less than the tax revenues in any given financial year, the government runs on a budget surplus during that particular year. The surplus is simply the difference between government expenditure and tax revenues.

Balanced Budget

When revenues and government expenditures are equal, the government will run on a balanced budget during the financial year in question.

Expansionary Fiscal Policy

During a recession, the government employs idle resources and tries to boost economic output. This increased spending increases aggregate demand, hence, a higher real GDP. This is referred to as an expansionary fiscal policy. It is usually an attempt to raise employment rates and output. The expansionary policy includes:

  • deficit spending;
  • tax cuts; and/or
  • subsidies.

Contractionary Fiscal Policy

Contractionary fiscal policy is explained as a decline in government expenditure. Alternatively, it can be defined as a raise in taxes that causes the government’s budget surplus to increase, or its budget deficit to decrease. A budget deficit or surplus usually determines the type of fiscal policy either as contractionary or expansionary. Contractionary fiscal policy includes:

  • budget surplus; and/or
  • increased tax rates.

Question

Which one of the following is least likely a reason to use fiscal deficits as an expansionary tool?

  1. The government may be crowding out private investments.
  2. The government may facilitate tax changes to reduce distortions in the economy.
  3. The government may stimulate employment when there is substantial unemployment in the economy.

Solution

The correct answer is A.

A common argument against raises in fiscal deficits is that the additional borrowing to fund the deficit in the financial markets will displace private-sector borrowing that would otherwise be invested by corporations that would create economic growth. This is referred to as “crowding-out.”

B and C are incorrect. They are the reasons to use budget deficits.

Shop CFA® Exam Prep

Offered by AnalystPrep

Featured Shop FRM® Exam Prep Learn with Us

    Subscribe to our newsletter and keep up with the latest and greatest tips for success
    Shop Actuarial Exams Prep Shop Graduate Admission Exam Prep


    Sergio Torrico
    Sergio Torrico
    2021-07-23
    Excelente para el FRM 2 Escribo esta revisión en español para los hispanohablantes, soy de Bolivia, y utilicé AnalystPrep para dudas y consultas sobre mi preparación para el FRM nivel 2 (lo tomé una sola vez y aprobé muy bien), siempre tuve un soporte claro, directo y rápido, el material sale rápido cuando hay cambios en el temario de GARP, y los ejercicios y exámenes son muy útiles para practicar.
    diana
    diana
    2021-07-17
    So helpful. I have been using the videos to prepare for the CFA Level II exam. The videos signpost the reading contents, explain the concepts and provide additional context for specific concepts. The fun light-hearted analogies are also a welcome break to some very dry content. I usually watch the videos before going into more in-depth reading and they are a good way to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content when you look at the readings.
    Kriti Dhawan
    Kriti Dhawan
    2021-07-16
    A great curriculum provider. James sir explains the concept so well that rather than memorising it, you tend to intuitively understand and absorb them. Thank you ! Grateful I saw this at the right time for my CFA prep.
    nikhil kumar
    nikhil kumar
    2021-06-28
    Very well explained and gives a great insight about topics in a very short time. Glad to have found Professor Forjan's lectures.
    Marwan
    Marwan
    2021-06-22
    Great support throughout the course by the team, did not feel neglected
    Benjamin anonymous
    Benjamin anonymous
    2021-05-10
    I loved using AnalystPrep for FRM. QBank is huge, videos are great. Would recommend to a friend
    Daniel Glyn
    Daniel Glyn
    2021-03-24
    I have finished my FRM1 thanks to AnalystPrep. And now using AnalystPrep for my FRM2 preparation. Professor Forjan is brilliant. He gives such good explanations and analogies. And more than anything makes learning fun. A big thank you to Analystprep and Professor Forjan. 5 stars all the way!
    michael walshe
    michael walshe
    2021-03-18
    Professor James' videos are excellent for understanding the underlying theories behind financial engineering / financial analysis. The AnalystPrep videos were better than any of the others that I searched through on YouTube for providing a clear explanation of some concepts, such as Portfolio theory, CAPM, and Arbitrage Pricing theory. Watching these cleared up many of the unclarities I had in my head. Highly recommended.