The Network Effects of Fiscal Adjustments 

Abstract

We study the effects of fiscal consolidations in the United States and their propagation in the production network. We use a narrative approach to identify fiscal adjustments which are exogenous to output fluctuations. Then we apply spatial econometric techniques to separate the total effect of fiscal adjustments into a direct and network component. We find that fiscal adjustments based on increased taxation are more recessionary than those based on spending cuts. Moreover, one-quarter of the difference in their total output effect is explained by the stronger network propagation of taxes relative to government spending.

Keywords: industrial networks, fiscal adjustment plans, output growth, applied spatial econometrics

JEL Classification: E60, E62