Thursday, May 13, 2004

The Finns Get It

The OECD doesn't.
OECD warns Finland of consequences of lower taxes
Organisation notes expenses of caring for ageing population.

The OECD feels that the Finnish state has no need to accelerate economic growth by taking money from state coffers. According to the outlook, "A pick-up in world trade is likely to boost growth over the coming years, with output rising above potential in 2005 and unemployment edging down".
"It is unlikely that cuts in labour taxes will be sufficient to achieve the government’s goal of a substantial increase in employment, unless accompanied by other reforms."

Sharply disagreeing with the OECD assessment was Timo Lindholm, head economist of OKO Bank.
"The growth in state tax revenue has continued in spite of the tax cuts", he points out.
According to Lindholm, the government should actually accelerate its tax cuts.
"We can afford that. When taxation is high, domestic demand cannot be increased."
Lindholm suggests different means to deal with the economic burdens of an ageing population.


All the arguments are Keynesian, but when in Rome.... Fears of an overheated economy are highly exaggerated.

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