Economic Crises, Stabilisation Policy and Output in Emerging Market Economies

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP20/2009
 
Publication date: 2009
 
Author(s):
[protected email address] (Bureau for Economic Research, University of Stellenbosch)
 
Abstract:

The recent macroeconomic history of emerging market economies is coloured with economic crises of all kinds, ranging from debt-crises, through hyperinflationary periods to currency crises to name but a few. Much of the empirical literature notes that alongside fast-paced structural change this has resulted in volatile business cycles and a difficult environment for stabilisation policy. Both short- and long-run output dynamics are shaped by the multidimensional exposure of EMEs to economic shocks. The paper uses an SVAR analysis and finds that in spite of high degrees of output volatility, the conduct of stabilisation policy has sometimes been successful in dampening short-run output fluctuations. However, even when stabilisation has been successful, the effect on overall output volatility has been negligible when compared to supply-side shocks. The results show that economic crises are associated with large negative supply shocks which are only counteracted by stabilisation policy to a very small extent. These crisis-related supply shocks, in turn, have large negative effects on potential GDP growth, which are only reversible when positive supply shocks regain lost ground. Given the institutional origin of the economic crises, the paper suggests that for stabilisation policy to become more effective in lowering output volatility and maintaining long-term growth potential, it must be supported by appropriate supply-side measures which insulate EMEs against large negative supply shocks and help them to recover in the wake of economic crises.

 
JEL Classification:

C32, E32, E61, E63

Keywords:

Economic crises, Stabilisation policy, Emerging Market Economies, Business Cycles, Potential output

Download: PDF (763 KB)

Login

(for staff & registered students)



Need a password?
Forgot your password?

BER Weekly

4 Jul 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes as tariff pause deadline looms
This week brought a flurry of data releases alongside a heavy dose of political drama, both locally and globally. Yesterday’s stronger-than-expected US jobs report was the standout global data release. Domestically, tensions persisted in the DA-ANC relationship. On the international stage, headlines were dominated by the passage of the One Big Beautiful...

Read the full issue
 

BER Weekly

4 Jul 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes as tariff pause deadline looms
This week brought a flurry of data releases alongside a heavy dose of political drama, both locally and globally. Yesterday’s stronger-than-expected US jobs report was the standout global data release. Domestically, tensions persisted in the DA-ANC relationship. On the international stage, headlines were dominated by the passage of the One Big Beautiful...

Read the full issue