Budget Surpluses : Experiences of Other Nations and Implications for the U. S.

Reviews the experience of 6 nations with budget surpluses (BS) in 1999 -- Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, & the U.K. Determines how these nations achieved BS, used BS to address long-term budgetary pressures, & adapted their budget processes once BS were achieved. Like the U.S., these nations achieved BS largely as the result of improving economies & sustained deficit reduction efforts. As they entered a period of BS, these nations debated how BS should be used & developed unique strategies for using BS to address national priorities. This experiences suggest that it is possible to sustain support for continued fiscal discipline during a period of BS while also addressing selected pent-up demands.James, Thomas M. is the author of 'Budget Surpluses : Experiences of Other Nations and Implications for the U. S.', published 2003 under ISBN 9780756734343 and ISBN 0756734347.