## Fiscal Policy Rules

_Occasional Papers, July 22, 1998_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Fiscal Policy Rules](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/fiscal-policy-rules-2608)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/fiscal-policy-rules-2608/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/fiscal-policy-rules-2608/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/fiscal-policy-rules-2608/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: George Kopits, Steven A. Symansky
- Published: July 22, 1998
- Series: Occasional Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781557757043.084

---

### Overview and Research Questions
- What are fiscal policy rules?
- What are the principal benefits and drawbacks associated with various fiscal rules, particularly compared with alternative approaches to fiscal adjustment?
- Can fiscal rules contribute to long-run sustainability and welfare without sacrificing short-run stabilization?
- If so, what characteristics of fiscal rules make this contribution most effective?
- In what circumstances and contexts, if any, should the IMF encourage its member countries to adopt fiscal rules?
- This paper seeks to identify sensible fiscal policy rules that can succeed, if chosen by a member country, as an alternative to descretionary fiscal rules.

### Publication and Authorship
- Authors: George Kopits, Steven A. Symansky
- Publication date: July 22, 1998
- Series: Occasional Paper No. 1998/011
- Issue: 011
- Volume: 1998
- Pages: 45
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781557757043.084
- Stock No: S162EA0000000
- ISBN: 9781557757043
- ISSN: 0251-6365

### Key Themes and Concepts
- Fiscal rules versus discretionary fiscal policy.
- Types of fiscal rules referenced in keywords and subjects:
  - balanced-budget rule
  - debt rule
  - no-deficit rule
  - deficit
  - fiscal policy rule
  - fiscal consolidation
  - Government debt management
  - Public financial management (PFM)
- Geographical and institutional contexts mentioned:
  - Europe
  - Western Europe
  - Global
  - member government
  - government

### Summary Findings (from the source text)
- The paper analyzes whether fiscal rules can:
  - contribute to long-run sustainability and welfare without sacrificing short-run stabilization;
  - succeed as an alternative to discretionary fiscal rules if chosen by a member country.
- The paper seeks to identify characteristics of fiscal rules that make them most effective.

### Subject Areas and Keywords
- Subject: Budget planning and preparation, Fiscal consolidation, Fiscal policy, Fiscal rules, Government debt management, Public financial management (PFM)
- Keywords: balanced-budget rule, Budget planning and preparation, debt rule, deficit, Europe, Fiscal consolidation, fiscal policy rule, Fiscal rules, Global, government, Government debt management, member government, no-deficit rule, OP, rule, Western Europe

*International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Policy Rules. Occasional Paper No. 1998/011. July 22, 1998.*

---


_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/fiscal-policy-rules-2608_