FISCAL POLICY AND ITS OBJECTIVES

FISCAL POLICY AND ITS OBJECTIVES, Fiscal policies of any nation may be defined as the use of income and expenditure instruments or policies to control or regulate the economic activities in a country.

Fiscal policy refers to the use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy. It is one of the key tools that governments have at their disposal to stabilize the economy, promote growth, and address various economic issues.

There are two main components of fiscal policy:

Government Spending: Governments can increase or decrease their spending on various sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, defence, and social welfare programs. Increased government spending can stimulate economic activity by creating jobs and boosting demand for goods and services. On the other hand, decreased government spending can be used to reduce budget deficits or control inflation.

Taxation: Governments can adjust tax rates and policies to influence individuals\’ and businesses\’ behaviour. Changes in tax rates can affect consumption, investment, and saving decisions. Lowering taxes can stimulate economic activity by leaving more money in the hands of individuals and businesses, while raising taxes can help generate revenue and address income inequality.

Fiscal policy can be expansionary or contractionary:

Expansionary Fiscal Policy: This involves increasing government spending or reducing taxes to stimulate economic growth, especially during times of recession or low economic activity. It aims to increase aggregate demand, create jobs, and boost investments.

FISCAL POLICY

It is a plain action by the government pertaining to the raising of revenue through taxation and other means, and the pattern of expenditure to be applied. Some of the fiscal policies of the government are incorporated in the budget so as to help in directing economic activities in the country.

The objective of fiscal policies

Economic development: A good fiscal policy can be used by the government to ensure rapid economic development. growth and development can be achieved through a good package of fiscal policies by the government

Revenue generation: Fiscal policies can equally be used to ensure that enough revenue is generated for government use.

Creation of employment: A good fiscal policy can be used by the government to provide job opportunities for the people.
Industrial development: Industrial growth and development can be achieved through a well package of fiscal policies by the government

Income redistribution: Government can use fiscal policies to ensure that the wealth of the country is equitably distributed.

Increased productivity: Productivity by workers can be increased if the government can formulate good fiscal policy for the country.

Control of inflation: Fiscal policy instruments can be used by the government to control inflation in the country, e.g. increased taxation on personal income and reduce government expenditure.

A good fiscal policy refers to the set of government actions and decisions related to taxation, spending, and borrowing that aim to promote economic stability, growth, and development. It is an essential tool for governments to manage their economies effectively.

Here are some key principles and components of a good fiscal policy:

Counter-cyclical Approach: A good fiscal policy should be counter-cyclical, meaning it should help stabilize the economy during economic downturns and prevent overheating during booms. During a recession, the government can increase spending or cut taxes to stimulate economic activity. Conversely, during periods of high inflation or economic overheating, the government can reduce spending or increase taxes to cool down the economy.

Sustainable Debt Management: Fiscal policy should prioritize long-term fiscal sustainability. Governments should strive to maintain a manageable level of public debt relative to the size of the economy. This involves careful borrowing and debt management practices to ensure that debt levels remain sustainable and do not pose a significant burden on future generations.

Efficiency and Effectiveness: Fiscal policy should be designed to achieve its intended goals in the most efficient and effective manner. This includes ensuring that government spending is allocated wisely, targeting areas that promote economic growth, social welfare, and public goods. It also involves avoiding wasteful expenditures and minimizing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Fairness and Equity: A good fiscal policy aims to promote fairness and equity in the distribution of resources. It should strive to reduce income and wealth disparities and provide adequate social safety nets for vulnerable populations. Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals are taxed at a higher rate, is often used to achieve a more equitable distribution of the tax burden.