http://www.VoxEU.org Recent Lars Calmfors articles on VoxEU.org en http://www.VoxEU.org/index.php?q=node/7712 Lars Calmfors, 12 March 2012

Several Eurozone countries are currently struggling with acute fiscal crises. This column argues that Sweden provides an example that fiscal transparency and a high-quality economic policy debate may be more important for budget discipline than formally binding rules and automatic correction mechanisms as being envisaged in the European fiscal compact.

Full Article: What can Europe learn from Sweden? Four lessons for fiscal discipline]]> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.VoxEU.org/index.php?q=node/7712 http://www.VoxEU.org/index.php?q=node/6369 Lars Calmfors, Simon Wren-Lewis, 21 April 2011

Fiscal councils are independent bodies set up by governments to evaluate fiscal policy. As problems with debt and deficits have taken hold, they have become increasingly popular. This column looks at what existing councils do and what dangers they face. It argues that, with the right guarantees of their independence in place, independent fiscal councils can make a significant positive contribution to fiscal policy.

Full Article: What are fiscal councils, and what do they do?]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.VoxEU.org/index.php?q=node/6369