fiscal policy
Reports on fiscal policy See all →
Argentina: Again on the brink of default
Under President Mauricio Macri, Argentina has fallen into economic crisis once again. Last month, Argentines elected a new president, Alberto Fernandez, with former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as his running mate. To end the downward spiral, Mr. Fernandez will have to deftly navigate a complicated political scene and overcome stubborn economic challenges.
EU elections shake the stability of Italy’s coalition
The European Parliament elections in May upended the balance of support for the parties in Italy's coalition government, with Lega far outpacing the Five Star Movement. Moreover, the country's budget imbalances increasingly require solutions that will be politically unpopular. Rank-and-file members of both parties could benefit from new elections, but ...
GIS Dossier: Tax reform vs. harmonization
Political elites around the world are calling for higher taxes, as well as more centralized, unified systems to ensure as much as possible is collected. Yet populations are increasingly raising the alarm about overly complex or onerous taxes. For years, GIS experts have explained why moves toward higher tax burdens ...
Opinion: The financial elephant in the room
Like medieval alchemy that failed to turn lead into gold, today’s easy-money folly of central banks and governments will lead to crisis, not economic growth and prosperity. After years of addiction to overspending, neither politicians nor central bankers seem capable of returning to responsible policies. New technologies such as cryptocurrencies, ...
The dangers of preferential treatment for sovereign debt
Under current rules, eurozone countries’ bonds are classified as “zero-risk,” meaning banks are not required to hold any capital against such assets. The system creates a perverse incentive for banks to stock up on sovereign debt, creating a toxic mix – but what can be done? Putting risk assessments on ...
