After the COVID-19 pandemic is contained, and the economy...

  1. 21 Posts.
    After the COVID-19 pandemic is contained, and the economy recovers, what does MMT suggest be done about the debt?

    IYO, what do you suggest be done about the debt?

    MMT does not have the ear of the LNP Coalition government, and it is unlikely to have the ear of a Labor government it that is the outcome after the next election. The RBA will remain independent and responsible for monetary policy. Some fiscal policies will change, but monetary policy will continue to be determined by the RBA with the same institutional framework and constraints that exist now. Which means that the government will still not be able to 'print money' for the foreseeable future. The RBA is the only entity in Australia that can do that, but it has made it clear that it foes not anticipate any need to do so. It will remain the same that the government faces a financial constraint, even if the RBA is prepared to implement QE. The government cannot allow the balances in its accounts at the RBA to fall below zero. (It can call upon an overdraft facility with the RBA, but that is only temporary.)

    MMT is on the public record as stating that it does not intend to seek government. It will advise. But the likely role it will have for the foreseeable future is the role that it has now: an irrelevant and quirky economic self-indulgence of a small group of enthusiastic progressives.

    It may change attitudes to deficit and debt, but the only contribution that it is likely to make to economic theory and policy is the design and implementation of a Jobs Guarantee Scheme to eliminate involuntary unemployment, and if it can, that will be no small achievement.

    With or without MMT, the question that needs to be answered after COVID-19 has been contained, and hopefully eradicated, what can be done and what should be done about the debt that will have accumulated by the time we get to that point?
 
arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch. arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch.