Question

Before addressing the following questions, you will first need to collect some data! Use online websites (such as Wikipedia) to find economic data for Japan, USA, India, Italy, Iraq, and Mexico. Specifically, find recent data for per capita GDP and government debt-to-GDP ratio.

1. Based on the data collected, do you think that debt is a problem faced by economically advanced countries, undeveloped countries, or both? Justify your answer.
2. The United States government has a 100% repayment rate—it has always repaid its debt. Given what we know about risk and return, do you think the USA is generally charged high or low interest rates on borrowing money? Similarly, do you think Iraq (a poor and economically unstable country) is likely to pay high or low interest rates on loans?
3. Explain the concept of “crowding out”. Based on the data collected, which of these countries likely has the most extensive “crowding out”? Explain.

Answer 1