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Ricardian Equivalence: Difference between revisions

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Added a basic description of the proposition. Still lacks an Austrian and a Keynesian critique.
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The Ricardian Equivalence proposition suggests consumers internalise the government's budget deficit or surplus. Consequently, it does not matter whether a government finances its spending with debt or tax increases, the effect on the total level of demand in an economy is the same.
The Ricardian Equivalence proposition suggests consumers internalise the government's budget deficit or surplus. Consequently, it does not matter whether a government finances its spending with debt or tax increases, the effect on the total level of demand in an economy is the same.
In simple terms, when a government incurs in a deficit to increase aggregate demand, consumers expect a raise in future taxes and save more, thus rendering the policy ineffective.
In simple terms, when a government incurs in a deficit to increase aggregate demand, consumers expect a raise in future taxes and save more, thus rendering the policy ineffective.
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Revision as of 01:42, 24 November 2010

The Ricardian Equivalence proposition suggests consumers internalise the government's budget deficit or surplus. Consequently, it does not matter whether a government finances its spending with debt or tax increases, the effect on the total level of demand in an economy is the same. In simple terms, when a government incurs in a deficit to increase aggregate demand, consumers expect a raise in future taxes and save more, thus rendering the policy ineffective.