Budget deficits and economic activity

Using annual data of the Greek economy, this paper explores the relationship between budget deficits and real output. The ultimate purpose is to empirically evaluate the validity of the Keynesian proposition and the Ricardian equivalence hypothesis. The econometric methodology is based on error-correction modeling, Granger bivariate and trivariate causality, and Hendry's general-to-specific technique. The ECM results are consistent with the Keynesian proposition, suggesting a significant and positive relationship between budget deficits and real GNP. (JEL H60).