USA - Economy: The Era of Fiscal Austerity Is Over. Here’s What Big Deficits Mean for the Economy. - Neil Irwin

The last seven weeks amount to a sea change in United States economic policy. The era of fiscal austerity is over, and the era of big deficits is back. 

The trillion dollar question is how it will affect the economy.

In the short run, expect some of the strongest economic growth the country has experienced in years, and some subtle but real benefits from a higher supply of Treasury bonds in a world that is thirsty for them.

In the medium run, there is now more risk of surging inflation and higher interest rates — fears that were behind a steep stock market sell-off in the last two weeks.

In the long run, the United States risks two grave problems. It may find itself with less flexibility to combat the next recession or unexpected crisis. And higher interest payments could prove a burden on the federal Treasury and on economic growth. This is particularly true given that the ballooning debt comes at a time when the economy is already strong and the costs of paying retirement benefits for baby boomers are starting to mount.

Read more: The Era of Fiscal Austerity Is Over. Here’s What Big Deficits Mean for the Economy. - The New York Times