Question

A government deficit has increased from 30 to 50. The country's trade deficit is 100 and private savings equal 65 and investment equal 90. If Ricardian neutrality holds true, after this change in the government's budget, private savings will equal:_____________

Answer 1

If Ricardian neutrality holds true, after this change in the government's budget, private savings will equal 40.

Step-by-step explanation:

S - I = X - M, where

S = Sp + Sg, where

Sp: private saving

Sg: Public saving = T - G

Sp + T - G - I = X - M

or,

Sp - I = (G - T) - (M - X) = Budget deficit - Trade deficit

Initially,

65 - 30 = 90 - 100 = - 10

When budget deficit falls to 50,

Sp - 90 = 50 - 100

Sp = - 50 + 90 = 40

Therefore, If Ricardian neutrality holds true, after this change in the government's budget, private savings will equal 40.