Domestic Demand Is The Missing Link
In my draft parliamentary report on the economic priorities for 2016, I have highlighted the need for stronger domestic demand in Europe, given high output gaps, the slowdown in global growth and the big excess of savings over investment implied by the Eurozone’s high current account surplus.
Reflation-oriented policies in high-surplus countries, such as stronger wage increases and greater public investment, would benefit all Europe through higher demand and growth, higher inflation, faster deleveraging, as well as reduced pressure on the ECB to extend its money-printing to potentially dangerous levels. At the same time, wage increases in surplus countries would hardly make them less competitive globally, since stronger domestic demand in the Eurozone would also reduce the pressure on the euro’s appreciation, which the high surplus otherwise creates.
A German budget deficit, financing overdue infrastructure repairs and much-needed social investments, would of course benefit Germany first of all. Faster wage increases would be applauded by a large majority of German voters. But also the rest of the Eurozone has a major interest in these developments, otherwise it is forced to maintain painful internal devaluation and stagnate in near-deflation, with a currency that is too strong.
Various German policy-makers often argue that high current account surpluses are needed in their country and others because of an adverse demographic outlook and high expected pension costs in the coming decades. In a household budget-perspective, it is indeed important to save up for the old age.
However, it is equally important for an ageing family to maintain its house and prevent dilapidation. It is also crucial to invest in younger generations and their productive potential – including when it comes to asylum-seekers accorded the right to stay. It is good to diversify savings instead of investing all in foreign banks. And finally, it is important to know that countries do not die like people, the economy is not a household, and excess savings across the board weaken domestic demand.
If the economy grows below potential, today’s excess savings are actually undercutting future output, from which future pensions will need to be paid. It would be therefore wise to have a clear target on what level of financial savings is desirable, and to take action when it is exceeded. Unfortunately, the already high 6% GDP threshold for current account surpluses has not been taken very seriously so far.