Political polarization in the United States has prevented crucial discussions about public debt management and the country’s fiscal deficit. The debate on fiscal responsibility, which was once a central topic in previous administrations, has practically disappeared from the American political agenda. This is what professor Mauricio Moura, from George Washington University, evaluates. WW Especial.
Since the flexibilization of public spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, the topic has rarely been addressed in global election campaigns. “Potential solutions to manage this debt in the short, medium and long term have never been debated”, highlights the professor. Moura confirms that, worldwide, only the electoral campaigns in Greece and Argentina gave significant emphasis to fiscal issues.
Absence of debate in the American elections
During the 2024 election campaigns in the United States, the topic of American debt management was not addressed in any debate or at party conventions, both Democratic and Republican. “It’s not a public opinion issue, and if this thing gets carried away by the polarized political climate and low debate, there is a cost”, says the professor. “The US relies on healthy debt management to recover resources.”
A decade ago, there was a faction of the Republican Party in the US Congress that expressed concern about the fiscal deficit. However, the current post-pandemic scenario reveals a significant change in this stance, with political polarization preventing constructive discussions on the topic. The current situation, which includes the recent shutdown of the American government, highlights how fiscal issues are no longer a priority on the political agenda.
