Austerity
In economics, austerity is a loose term referring to policy of deficit-cutting by lowering spending often via a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided.[1] Austerity policies are often used by governments to try to reduce their deficit spending[2] and are sometimes coupled with increases in taxes to demonstrate long-term fiscal solvency to creditors.[3] "Austerity" was named the word of the year by Merriam-Webster in 2010.[4] However, regarding policies designed to address fiscal problems, a more accurate term is fiscal consolidation[5], whereas "austerity" may as well mean countercyclical policies, eg in periods of high inflation. Critics argue that, in periods of high unemployment, austerity policies are counter-productive, because deficit cutting reduces GDP (which typically means less tax revenue to pay off the debt); and that short-term stimulus is necessary to deal with deficits in the long-term.[6]
The Expansionary fiscal contraction (EFC) hypothesis predicts that, under certain limited circumstances, a major reduction in government spending that changes future expectations about taxes and government spending will expand private consumption, resulting in overall economic expansion.
Contents |
[edit] Reasons for undertaking austerity measures
Austerity measures are typically taken if there is a threat that a government cannot honor its debt liabilities. Such a situation may arise if a government has borrowed in foreign currencies that they have no right to issue or they have been legally forbidden from issuing their own currency. In such a situation, banks may lose trust in a government's ability and/or willingness to pay and either refuse to roll over existing debts or demand extremely high interest rates. In such situations, inter-governmental institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may demand austerity measures in exchange for functioning as a lender of last resort. When the IMF requires such a policy, the terms are known as 'IMF conditionalities'.
[edit] Typical effects
Development projects, welfare, and other social spending are common programs that are targeted for cuts: Taxes, port and airport fees, train and bus fares are common sources of increased user fees.
In many cases, austerity measures have been associated with protest movements claiming significant decline in standard of living. A case in point is the nation of Greece. The financial crisis—particularly the austerity package put forth by the EU and the IMF— was met with great anger by the Greek public, leading to riots and social unrest. On 27 June 2011, trade union organizations commenced a forty-eight hour labor strike in advance of a parliamentary vote on the austerity package, the first such strike since 1974. Massive demonstrations were organized throughout Greece, intended to pressure parliament members into voting against the package. The second set of austerity measures was approved on 29 June 2011, with 155 out of 300 members of parliament voting in favor. However, one United Nations official warned that the second package of austerity measures in Greece could pose a violation of human rights.[7]
[edit] Controversy
Austerity programs can be controversial. In the Overseas Development Institute briefing paper "The IMF and the Third World" the ODI addresses five major complaints against the IMF's austerity 'conditionalities'. These complaints include these measures being "anti-developmental", "self-defeating", and "they tend to have an adverse impact on the poorest segments of the population". In many situations, austerity programs are implemented by countries that were previously under dictatorial regimes, leading to criticism that the citizens are forced to repay the debts of their oppressors.[8][9][10]
Economist Richard D. Wolff has stated that instead of cutting government programs and raising taxes, austerity should be attained by collecting (taxes) from non-profit multinational corporations, churches, and private tax-exempt institutions such as universities, which currently pay no taxes at all.[11]
In 2009, 2010, and 2011, workers and students in Greece and other European countries demonstrated against cuts to pensions, public services and education spending as a result of government austerity measures.[12][13] Following the announcement of plans to introduce austerity measures in Greece, massive demonstrations were witnessed throughout the country, aimed at pressing parliamentarians to vote against the austerity package. In Athens alone 19 arrests were made while 46 civilians and 38 policemen had been injured by June 29, 2011. The third round austerity has been approved by the Greece parliament on February 12, 2012 and has met strong opposition especially in the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki where the police have clashed with demonstrators.
Opponents argue that austerity measures tend to depress economic growth, which ultimately causes governments to lose more money in tax revenues. In countries with already anemic economic growth, austerity can engender deflation which inflates existing debt. This can also cause the country to fall into a liquidity trap, causing credit markets to freeze up and unemployment to increase. Opponents point to cases in Ireland and Spain in which austerity measures instituted in response to financial crises in 2009 proved ineffective in combating public debt, and placing those countries at risk of defaulting in late 2010.[14]
[edit] The "Age of Austerity"
The term “Age of austerity” was popularized by British Conservative leader David Cameron in his keynote speech to the Conservative party forum in Cheltenham on April 26, 2009, when he committed to put an end to what he called years of excessive government spending.[15] [16]
[edit] Word of the year
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary named the word "austerity" as its "Word of the Year" for 2010 because of the number of web searches this word generated that year. According to the president and publisher of the dictionary, "austerity had more than 250,000 searches on the dictionary's free online [website] tool" and the spike in searches "came with more coverage of the debt crisis".[17]
[edit] Examples of austerity
 |
This section is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (June 2011) |
- Argentina, 1952,2012[18]
- Cuba, 1991
- Czech Republic, 2010
- Germany, 2011[19]
- Greece, 2010–2012[20]
- Ireland, 2010
- Israel, 1949–1959
- Italy, 2010[21]
- Japan, 2010[22]
- Latvia, 2009[23]
- Mexico, 1985[24]
- Netherlands, 1982–1990, 2003–2006, 2011
- Canada, 1994
- Nicaragua, 1997[25]
- Palestinian Authority, 2006[26]
- Romania, 2010[27]
- Portugal, 2010–2011
- Puerto Rico, 2009–2013[clarification needed for future year]
- Spain, 1979,[28] 2010
- United Kingdom, during and after the two World Wars, 2011–2014[clarification needed for future year][29]
- Naples, Italy 2012
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Elmhirst, Sophie (24 September 2010). "Word Games: Austerity". New Statesman. http://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2010/09/austerity-word-red-conference. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ Traynor, Ian; Katie Allen (11 June 2010). "Austerity Europe: who faces the cuts". London: Guardian News. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jun/11/europe-deficit-crisis-austerity-budgets. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ Wesbury, Brian S.; Robert Stein (26 July 2010). "Government Austerity: The Good, Bad And Ugly". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/26/government-spending-taxes-opinions-columnists-brian-wesbury-robert-stein.html. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ "Word of the Year 2010". Merriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/10words.htm.
- ^ Fiscal Adjustment for Stability and Growth, IMF Pamphlet series no. 55, August 2006.
- ^ Krugman, Paul. "Europe's Economic Suicide". www.nytimes.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/opinion/krugman-europes-economic-suicide.html.
- ^ "Greek austerity measures could violate human rights, UN expert says". www.un.org. 30 June 2011. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38901&Cr=austerity&Cr1=. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ Harvey, D (2005) A Brief History of Neoliberalism
- ^ Klein, N. (2007) The Shock Doctrine
- ^ Chomsky, N (2004) Hegemony or Survival
- ^ Wolff, Richard (4 July 2010). "Austerity: Why and for Whom?". RDWolff.com. http://www.rdwolff.com/content/austerity-why-and-whom. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ Kyriakidou, Dina (4 August 2010). "In Greece you get a bonus for showing up for work - Arcane benefits add billions to Greece’s bloated budget". Toronto: thestar.com. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/802042. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ Costas Kantouris and Nicholas Paphitis (10 September 10 2011). "Greek police, firefighters protest". The Boston Globe. Associated Press Sm,meme,emme,e,e,e. http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-10/business/30139918_1_firefighters-protest-painful-austerity-measures-rallies. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ Leung, Sophie (2010-11-11). "Stiglitz Says Ireland Has Bleak Prospect of Cutting Deficit, Saving Banks". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-11/stiglitz-says-ireland-has-bleak-prospect-of-cutting-deficit-saving-banks.html. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ Deborah Summers (26 April 2009). "David Cameron warns of 'new age of austerity'". The Guardian (.). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/26/david-cameron-conservative-economic-policy1. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
- ^ M. Nicolas Firzli & Vincent Bazi (Q4 2011). "Infrastructure Investments in an Age of Austerity : The Pension and Sovereign Funds Perspective". Revue Analyse Financière, volume 41. http://www.turkishweekly.net/op-ed/2852/infrastructure-investments-in-an-age-of-austerity-the-pension-and-sovereign-funds-perspective.html. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Contreras, Russell (December 20, 2010). "Audacity of 'austerity,' 2010 Word of the Year". Associated Press. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/dec/20/audacity-austerity-2010-word-year-ar-727040/. Retrieved December 20, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Time Magazine (1952), "ARGENTINA: Inflexible Austerity"
- ^ Sonja Pace (2010-06-16). "Germany Approves Biggest Austerity Plan Since World War II | News | English". .voanews.com. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/-Germanys-Government-Approves-Biggest-Austerity-Plan-Since-World-War-II-96460149.html. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ "WRAPUP 4-Greek debt costs spike on budget jitters". Reuters. 21 January 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60K15Y20100121.
- ^ "UPDATE 2-Italy joins Europe's austerity club with deep cuts". Reuters. 25 May 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE64O0R120100525.
- ^ (AFP) – Jul 27, 2010 (2010-07-27). "AFP: Japan unveils budget austerity guidelines". Google.com. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5htWaDnzsgJUIJMMFraXwJX33QV8A. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ "Soros says EU "wrong" to push austerity on Latvia". Reuters. 10 October 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5991LJ20091010.
- ^ "Mexico's Austerity Plans". The New York Times. 8 February 1985. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/08/business/mexico-s-austerity-plans.html.
- ^ "Revista Envío – President Arnoldo Alemán Between the Fund and the Front". Envio.org.ni. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/2039. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ "Bankrupt Hamas government unveils austerity package". Americanintifada.com. http://www.americanintifada.com/2006/04/04-06-07.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ Leigh Phillips (2010-05-20). "EUobserver / Romania sees biggest protest since 1989 over austerity measures". Euobserver.com. http://euobserver.com/851/30111. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ^ Salvadó, Francisco J. Romero (1999) Twentieth-century Spain: politics and society in Spain, 1898–1998
- ^ Coates, Sam; Evans, Judith (7 June 2010). "Cameron fingers culprits for Britains 770bn debt pile". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7145376.ece.
[edit] External links
 |
Look up austerity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
