Fiscal Policy during the current Crisis

Fiscal policy is an important government tool for managing the economy, having the ability to affect the total amount of output produced - GDP. Changes in the instruments of fiscal policy have impact on aggregate demand, the pattern of resource allocation, and the distribution of income. The article shows the mechanisms through which fiscal policy stabilizes the business cycle, and the specific requirements for fiscal policy during recession; the practical problems that may occur in implementing an effective fiscal policy are also emphasized. In the specific circumstances of the current financial crisis, the revival of the fiscal policy as a macroeconomic policy faces high expectations as to what it can accomplish. Therefore, the paper highlights the composition of fiscal stimulus package, and reviews the specific fiscal stimulus plans adopted so far by different countries and their objectives. The final section examines the fiscal measures implemented by the Romanian government, as a response to the current crisis. The conclusion is that Romania has conducted an inconsistent and ineffective fiscal policy, which has contributed to macroeconomic imbalances and to an increased fiscal pressure on business. Therefore, a medium-term fiscal framework has to be implemented, in order to ensure fiscal effectiveness and sustainability.