Fiscal rules and fiscal counter-cyclicality

We assess the effect of fiscal rules on a new time-varying measure of fiscal counter-cyclicality computed for 60 countries over the period 1980-2014. First, we find that fiscal counter-cyclicality is positive and has been increasing over time, being larger in advanced economies. Second, we find that fiscal rules reduce the degree of fiscal counter-cyclicality. The result is especially strong for debt-based rules in advanced economies. Some design features hinder the degree of fiscal counter-cyclicality (such as escape clauses or enforcement procedures), while others (such as transparency) foster it.