The Discretionary Economy
The Discretionary Economy

Author: Marc Tool

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-10-08

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 1351304860

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The Discretionary Economy argues that we do in fact control our own political and economic destinies. As a community, we have discretion over policies that determine whether an economic process adequately provides for the necessities of life. We also determine who participates in normative public judgments and whether decisions distinguish between what is and what ought to be. Tool argues that we must continuously organize the institutional structures through which economic and political functions in the social process are carried on. We must exercise discretion by creating and modifying institutions that coordinate our behavior. To exercise discretion effectively requires that we employ distinctively American economic, political, and philosophical theory. In this volume, the pivotal twentieth-century contributors to this encompassing theory of political economy are Thorstein Veblen, John Dewey, Clarence Ayres, and R. Fagg Foster. This volume presents, in detail, their analytical and philosophical perspective on social change. A major purpose of this volume is to compare and contrast the American tradition with the traditions of capitalism, Marxism, and fascism, demonstrating that the former can resolve compelling economic and political problems and the latter two cannot. This book explains how to identify and analyze social, economic, and political problems confronted in all communities, and how to go about framing and implementing structural adjustments in the political economy. It will be of interest to students in non-traditional courses in political economy including institutional economics, contemporary social problems, economics and social policy, methodology, and contemporary economic thought.

The Discretionary Economy
The Discretionary Economy

Author: Marc R Tool

Publisher: Westview Press

Published: 1985-12-16

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13:

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Tool (professor emeritus, California State University) introduces students to social, political, economic, and ecological problems, to ways of understanding the causes, and to creating institutional solutions. He analyzes the perspectives of Thorstein Veblen, John Dewey, Clarence Ayers, and R. Fagg Foster, comparing the American tradition with the traditions of capitalism, Marxism, and fascism, demonstrating that capitalism can most successfully resolve economic and political problems. Of interest to students in non-traditional courses in political economy and in economics and social policy. Originally published in 1979 by Goodyear Publishing Company. This edition contains a brief, new introduction by the author. c. Book News Inc.

The Discretionary Economy
The Discretionary Economy

Author: Marc Tool

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-10-08

Total Pages: 373

ISBN-13: 1351304879

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The Discretionary Economy argues that we do in fact control our own political and economic destinies. As a community, we have discretion over policies that determine whether an economic process adequately provides for the necessities of life. We also determine who participates in normative public judgments and whether decisions distinguish between what is and what ought to be. Tool argues that we must continuously organize the institutional structures through which economic and political functions in the social process are carried on. We must exercise discretion by creating and modifying institutions that coordinate our behavior. To exercise discretion effectively requires that we employ distinctively American economic, political, and philosophical theory. In this volume, the pivotal twentieth-century contributors to this encompassing theory of political economy are Thorstein Veblen, John Dewey, Clarence Ayres, and R. Fagg Foster. This volume presents, in detail, their analytical and philosophical perspective on social change. A major purpose of this volume is to compare and contrast the American tradition with the traditions of capitalism, Marxism, and fascism, demonstrating that the former can resolve compelling economic and political problems and the latter two cannot. This book explains how to identify and analyze social, economic, and political problems confronted in all communities, and how to go about framing and implementing structural adjustments in the political economy. It will be of interest to students in non-traditional courses in political economy including institutional economics, contemporary social problems, economics and social policy, methodology, and contemporary economic thought.

Fiscal Policy in the U. S.
Fiscal Policy in the U. S.

Author: Glenn Follette

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2011-04

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13: 1437939880

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Examines the effects of the economy on the gov¿t. budget as well as the effects of the budget on the economy. Provides measures of the effects of automatic stabilizers on budget outcomes at the fed., state and local levels. At the fed. level, the deficit increases about 0.35% of GDP for each 1 percentage point deviation of actual GDP relative to potential GDP. For state and local gov¿t., the deficit increases by 0.1% of GDP. Examines the response of the economy to the automatic stabilizers by comparing the response to aggregate demand shocks. The authors find that federal policy actions are somewhat counter-cyclical while state and local policy actions have been somewhat pro-cyclical. Illustrations. This is a print on demand publication.

Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary
Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary

Author: Fisher Investments

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2010-08-27

Total Pages: 213

ISBN-13: 047094837X

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The Fisher Investments On series is designed to provide individual investors, aspiring investment professionals, and students the tools necessary to understand and analyze investment opportunities—primarily for investing in global stocks. Each guide is an easily accessible primer to economic sectors, regions, or other components of the global stock market. While this guide specifically focuses on Consumer Discretionary, the basic investment methodology is applicable for analyzing any global sector, regardless of the current macroeconomic environment. Following a top-down approach to investing, Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary can help you make more informed decisions within the Consumer Discretionary sector. It skillfully addresses how to determine the optimal times to invest in Consumer Discretionary stocks and which Consumer Discretionary industries and sub-industries have the potential to perform well in various environments. Divided into three comprehensive parts—Getting Started, Consumer Discretionary Details, and Thinking Like a Portfolio Manager—Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary: Explains some of the sector’s key macro drivers—like consumer spending, income, and employment Shows how to capitalize on a wide array of macro conditions and industry-specific features to help you form an opinion on each of the industries within the sector Takes you through the major components of the 12 sub-industries within the global Consumer Discretionary sector and reveals how they operate Offers investment strategies to help you determine when and how to overweight specific industries within the sector Outlines a five-step process to help differentiate firms in this field—designed to help you identify ones with the greatest probability of outperforming Filled with in-depth insights and expert advice, Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary provides a framework for understanding this sector and its industries to help you make better investment decisions—now and in the future. With this book as your guide, you can gain a global perspective of the Consumer Discretionary sector and discover strategies to help achieve your investing goals.

Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary
Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary

Author: Fisher Investments

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2010-07-06

Total Pages: 213

ISBN-13: 047052703X

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The Fisher Investments On series is designed to provide individual investors, aspiring investment professionals, and students the tools necessary to understand and analyze investment opportunities—primarily for investing in global stocks. Each guide is an easily accessible primer to economic sectors, regions, or other components of the global stock market. While this guide specifically focuses on Consumer Discretionary, the basic investment methodology is applicable for analyzing any global sector, regardless of the current macroeconomic environment. Following a top-down approach to investing, Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary can help you make more informed decisions within the Consumer Discretionary sector. It skillfully addresses how to determine the optimal times to invest in Consumer Discretionary stocks and which Consumer Discretionary industries and sub-industries have the potential to perform well in various environments. Divided into three comprehensive parts—Getting Started, Consumer Discretionary Details, and Thinking Like a Portfolio Manager—Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary: Explains some of the sector’s key macro drivers—like consumer spending, income, and employment Shows how to capitalize on a wide array of macro conditions and industry-specific features to help you form an opinion on each of the industries within the sector Takes you through the major components of the 12 sub-industries within the global Consumer Discretionary sector and reveals how they operate Offers investment strategies to help you determine when and how to overweight specific industries within the sector Outlines a five-step process to help differentiate firms in this field—designed to help you identify ones with the greatest probability of outperforming Filled with in-depth insights and expert advice, Fisher Investments on Consumer Discretionary provides a framework for understanding this sector and its industries to help you make better investment decisions—now and in the future. With this book as your guide, you can gain a global perspective of the Consumer Discretionary sector and discover strategies to help achieve your investing goals.

The Role for Discretionary Fiscal Policy in a Low Interest Rate Environment
The Role for Discretionary Fiscal Policy in a Low Interest Rate Environment

Author: Martin S. Feldstein

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 11

ISBN-13:

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Although there is now widespread agreement in the economics profession that discretionary counter-cyclical'fiscal policy has not contributed to economic stability and may have actually been destabilizing at particular times in the past, there is one important condition when discretionary fiscal policy can play a constructive role: in a sustained downturn when aggregate demand and interest rates are low and when prices are falling or may soon be falling. This short note begins by summarizing the general case against using fiscal policy for stabilization. It next considers the argument for using a hyperexpansive' monetary policy to reduce the risk that a low rate of inflation will lead to a deflationary situation in which monetary policy becomes ineffective. Such a policy would increase the risk of asset price bubbles and of a misaligned exchange rate. Discretionary fiscal policy provides an alternative way to stimulate the economy when aggregate demand and interest rates are low and when prices are falling or may soon be falling. A stimulus can be achieved without increasing budget deficits if the fiscal policy acts by providing an incentive for increased private spending. Specific examples for the U.S. and Japan are considered

The Limits of Fiscal Policy
The Limits of Fiscal Policy

Author: Anthony J. Makin

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-05-24

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 3319901583

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This book presents alternative macroeconomic perspectives, primarily open economy, on the limitations of discretionary fiscal policy, with a focus on government spending. Following an overview on the post-crisis Keynesian revival and of the macro-foundations needed for subsequent analysis, different perspectives are expounded that highlight the failings of fiscal activism. These perspectives include extended loanable funds analysis, an expenditure-output related model incorporating money and exchange rates, and a dependent economy framework. The approaches are used to examine investment and net export crowding out effects and their implications for national income, and are then adapted to show the macroeconomic impact of different fiscal consolidation measures, revealing that the nature of fiscal repair is critical. A concluding chapter evaluates the nexus between budgetary policy and confidence, summarises the key failings of fiscal activism, and suggests fiscal policy goals. The book will appeal to university lecturers and researchers in macroeconomics and economists working in government and the private sector.

The Budget Control Act and Trends in Discretionary Spending
The Budget Control Act and Trends in Discretionary Spending

Author: Congressional Research Congressional Research Service

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2014-11-26

Total Pages: 46

ISBN-13: 9781505322354

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Discretionary spending is provided and controlled through appropriations acts, which fund many of the activities commonly associated with such federal government functions as running executive branch agencies, congressional offices and agencies, and international operations of the government. Essentially all spending on federal wages and salaries is discretionary. Spending can be measured by budget authority (BA; what agencies can legally obligate the government to pay) or outlays (disbursements from the U.S. Treasury). This report mostly discusses trends in outlays. Federal spending in fiscal year (FY) 2014 was just over a fifth (20.3%) of the U.S. economy, as measured as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), which is close to its average share since FY1962. Discretionary spending accounted for 33% of total outlays in FY2014 ($3,504 billion), well below mandatory spending's share (60% of outlays in FY2014). Weak economic conditions in recent years as well as demographic trends have increased spending on mandatory income support and retirement programs, while policy makers have acted to constrain the growth of discretionary spending. As interest rates return to more normal levels as the recovery proceeds, net interest costs-6.6% of federal outlays in FY2014-are projected to rise. Discretionary spending's share of total federal spending has fallen over time largely due to rapid growth of mandatory outlays. In FY1962, discretionary spending accounted for 67% of total outlays and was the largest component of federal spending until the mid-1970s. Since then, discretionary spending as a share of federal outlays and as a share of GDP has fallen. Under current law projections, discretionary spending's share of GDP will fall to 5.2% in FY2024. Discretionary spending can be split into various categories to reflect broad national priorities or how federal spending decisions are made. In FY1962, discretionary spending was 12.7% of GDP, with defense spending making up 9.3% of GDP. In FY2014, discretionary spending was 6.8% of GDP, with defense spending (including war) totaling 3.5% of GDP. Defense spending can be divided between base budget and war expenditures, both of which grew sharply from FY2002 through FY2011. On average, defense outlays grew 6.8% per year in real terms from 2000 to 2010, while real non-defense discretionary outlays grew 5.6% per year. Discretionary spending has also been divided into security and non-security categories. Non-defense security spending rose sharply after 2001 and was 1.0% of GDP in FY2013, nearly twice its level before 2001.