Question

What arguments should be considered in assessing the burden that government debt imposes on future generations?

A. Much of the debt is held by foreigners so that the holders of government bonds are not also taxpayers.
B. Government budget deficits may crowd out private investment, lowering the future capital stock with fewer goods and services being produced in the future.
C. High levels of debt may lead to debt intolerance and increase the risk of default.
D. A and C only.
E. All of the above.

Answer 1

E. All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation:

A) This has happened to other countries, e.g. over 100 years ago, the US owned a very large portion of British foreign debt and it was able to influence British policies. Until that time, the British had been the largest in the world.

B) When government sell bonds, it withdraws money form the economy and increases interest rates, which in the long run will lower capital stock and hurt the economy.

C) The higher the debt level, the higher the interest that must be paid. This also applies to everyone. Imagine if you do not owe any money, and if you need to loan you have several options where to choose from. But if you are over your head in debt, banks will stop lending you money and you will have to look to more expensive sources of credit.