Finance and Financial Management Commons^™

“Fiscal Trap”, The Case Of Greece, Titos Ritsatos

Southern University College of Business E-Journal

Present research aims at the introduction of the term “Fiscal Trap” in economic literature, as a comprehensive definition of the economic situation in which any available combination of fiscal-only policy measures (tax increases and austerity measures), would fail to fulfill fiscal targets during periods of recession. Using recent experience from the case of Greece, an ex-post evaluation of adopted policy effectiveness is pursued. Fiscal austerity and increased taxation enforced in Greece during the years 2009-2012, resulted in decreased tax revenues, lower GDP and increased debt-to-GDP ratio. In order to slip away from the vicious cycle generated by austerity and tax …