Introduction
Fiscal policy is a policy via which a government makes adjustments in its tax rates and spending levels to influence and monitor a nation's economy. It is a sister strategy in relation with the monetary policy by which a central bank impacts the money supply of a nation. Both these policies are utilised in several combinations to direct the economic goals of a country.
Highlights of Fiscal policy:
- A government adjusts both the tax rates as well as its spending levels by means of fiscal policy. It is also helpful in monitoring and influencing a nation's economy.
- Using a combination of fiscal and monetary policies, the government can monitor economic phenomena.
- The impact of a fiscal policy is not the same for everyone. Based on the goals of the policymakers and political orientations, a tax cut might impact only the middle class, which is mostly the largest economic group.
- The three stances of fiscal policy include neutral fiscal policy, contractionary fiscal policy, and expansionary fiscal policy.
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Fiscal policy is considered as contractionary or tight when the revenue is higher as compared to spending i.e., the budget of the government is in surplus. Fiscal policy is considered as loose or expansionary when spending is higher as compared to revenue i.e., the budget of the government is in deficit. Mostly, the focus lies on the change in deficit and not on the level of the deficit.
Also, a fiscal policy has an impact on the trade balance and the exchange rate in an open economy. In the event of fiscal expansion, a rise in interest rates will attract foreign capital because of government borrowing.
Industry Impact
Fiscal policy helps accelerate economic growth by raising the rate of investment in public as well as private sectors. In the short run, it can impact the level of activity in the economy by changing aggregate demand for goods and services.
Conclusion
Governments utilise fiscal policy in order to make an impact on the level of aggregate demand within the economy, so that specific economic goals such as price stability, economic growth, and full employment are achieved.
