Citation:
Alesina, Alberto. 1999. “Fiscal Policy, Profits and Investment”. Copy at http://www.tinyurl.com/yy5r7c6f
 | 429_papertablesfinal.pdf | 228 KB |
Abstract:
This paper evaluates the effects of fiscal policy on investment using a panel of OECD countries. We find a sizeable negative effect of public spending – and in particular of its wage component – on profits and on business investment. This result is consistent with models in which government employment creates wage pressure for the private sector. Various types of taxes also have negative effects on profits, but, interestingly, the effects of government spending on investment are larger than those of taxes. Our results can explain the so called "non–Keynesian" (i.e. expansionary) effects of fiscal adjustments.