Reading Passage
Fiscal policy refers to government policy that attempts to influence the direction of the economy through changes in government taxes, or through some spending (fiscal allowances) The two main instruments of fiscal policy are government spending and taxation . Changes in the level and composition of taxation and government can impact on the following variables in the economy :
Aggregate demand and the level of economic activity, the pattern of resource allocation, and the distribution of income.
Therefore ,fiscal policy is related to the overall effect of the budget outcome on economic activity. The three possible stances of fiscal policy are neutral, expansionary and contractionary :
- A neutral stance of fiscal policy implies balanced budget where G =T (Government spending = Tax revenue). Government spending is fully funded by tax revenue and overall the budget outcome has a neutral effect on the level of economic activity
- An expansionary stance of fiscal policy involves a net increase in government spending (G >T) through a rise in government spending or a fall in taxation revenue or a combination of two . this will lead to a larger budget deficit or a smaller budget surplus than the government previously had, or a deficit if the government previously had a balanced budget. Expansionary fiscal policy is usually associated with a budget deficit.
- Contractionary fiscal policy (G