The Economic Theory Of Fiscal Policy

The book explores whether fiscal policies can secure full employment without inflation, one of the key questions in economics after Keynes. Part 1, General Theory of Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, discusses Ends and Means in economic policy. The results of this ends-means analysis are applied to fiscal policy. Part 2, Microeconomics, deals with the impact of fiscal measures on the behaviour of the individual household, firm and other organization, concentrating on the effects on consumption and saving. Part 3, Macroeconomics, considers how the problem of keeping the price-level constant and the labour market in equilibrium at full employment may be solved by means of fiscal and monetary measures. Problems connected with the volume of investments and the balance of payments are considered simultaneously.

Review of the economics of fiscal policy which takes account of some major post-keynesian developments in macroeconomic models.

Originally published in 1971, this book uses the famous Tinbergen/Theil approach to the theory of economic policy, demonstrating the place of fiscal policy in a realistic policy context. The volume marries analytical developments in macroeconomics to the influence on the economy of the system of public finance. Attention is given to the problem co-ordinating fiscal policy with other policy instruments, notably monetary policy. A final chapter discusses the problems encountered in applying fiscal policy models to real situations.