Measuring the Evolution of Partisan Attitudes toward Deficit Spending

• In Event: Partisanship and Inequality

Abstract

The United States has experienced increasing deficits, debt, and pro-cyclical spending in the last few decades. Both main political parties have overseen these increases. We explore differential willingness of the political parties to allow these fiscal changes. First, we study macro-level trends using aggregate spending and tax expenditures. Then we exploit CBO reports to study legislative behavior on specific bills. How willing are Democrat and Republican members of Congress to vote for legislation that would add to the deficit? Preliminary estimates indicate that there are differences across political parties and over time. In particular, we find that Republicans have grown much more comfortable supporting bills that would add to the national debt either through spending increases or tax cuts.

Authors

• Christian Cox, Yale University

• Derek Epp, University of Texas at Austin

• Ian Shapiro, Yale University