Routledge Public Economics in an Age of Austerity - Book

Governments across the globe are currently struggling with complex public finance challenges. This volume, part of The Graz Schumpeter Lectures, explores the difficult decisions leaders face during periods of austerity. It addresses fundamental questions regarding how much spending should be cut and whether tax rates need to be increased to stabilize economies. Readers will examine the impact of national debt on future generations and the debate surrounding tax increases for the wealthy. The text uses tools from public economics to provide answers to these pressing issues and offers alternatives to current austerity policies. Rather than viewing fiscal problems solely as a result of the post-2008 economic crisis, this book investigates the deep-seated fault lines present in modern economies today.