Goals of Macroeconomics: Manageable Government Debt and Deficit

Manageable government debt and deficit is the amount that a government spends more than it earns in revenue. Debt is the accumulated deficit over a number of years. It is achieved through a balance of government spending and taxation.
Deficit- Revenue is less than spending
Surplus- revenue is higher than spending
Structural Debt- When a government spends more than it make in tax revenues even in good times or the peak phase of the business cycle.
Cyclical Debt- When a government spends more than it makes in tax revenues, but only during a recession. They pay it back when times are good.


Trade offs in the Goals of Macroeconomics.
  • unemployment vs inflation
  • balancing the budget vs stimulating growth
  • growth vs higher consumption.


Dr. Stephanie Powers, "Goals"(Lecture, Donald School of Business, Red Deer AB, Winter 2012)