Fiscal policy learning from crisis: comparative analysis of the Baltic countries

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Politikos mokymasis; Fiskalinė politika; Krizė; Biurokratija; Lyginamoji analizė; Policy learning; Fiscal policy; Crisis; Policy bureaucracy; Comparative analysis.

ENThe experience of a major crisis is often expected to lead to policy learning but the empirical evidence about it is limited. The goal of the paper is to explore comparatively whether the crisis of 2008-2010 has led to fiscal policy learning by civil servants in the three Baltic countries. Despite some differences in the crisis experience, the finance ministry officials in all three countries have identified the same lesson from the crisis: fiscal policy should be counter-cyclical and help to stabilize the economy.The paper also discusses how various factors have influenced policy learning, including the acknowledgment of failure, blame shifting, and analytical tractability. [From the publication]

• Baltic Republics and the crisis of 2008–2011 / Rainer Kattel, Ringa Raudla. Europe-Asia studies. 2013, Vol. 65, no. 3, p. 426-449.
• Vidinio prisitaikymo politinė ekonomija Baltijos šalyse: valstybių reakcijos į krizę aiškinimas : disertacija / Vytautas Kuokštis. Vilnius, 2013. 234 p.