In: Economics
How do you think balancing happens - meaning, what type of factors should be considered when the government cuts funds from one program to fund another?
The source of income of government is through taxes . The government spends in various sectors of the economy . The balance between income and expenditure is budget . Government funds are allocated in programs where the government has to interfere to maximize social benefits . It is allocated in such programs where there is positive externality , such as education , healthcare . Government has limited funds , so allocation is done based on several factors .
Firstly , the sectors in which private sector will not invest at all such as infrastructure ( roads , bridges etc ) . Secondly , healthcare is another important program where the fund should be allocated in order to develop human capital . The program that requires immediate intervention should be dealt first . As for example if private sector education cost if too exorbitant and unaffordable for the poor then government has to provide education at a lower cost to increase literacy . The program that is most neglected such as agricultural welfare , income inequality etc should be allocated some funds .
Hence when government cuts funds from one program to fund another the most important factor that is considered is immediate governmental support and maximization of social welfare .