Mainstream economic research regards private debt as a determinant of GDP growth in the longrun. Levine (2005) surveys in details this branch of literature and explains the channels by which debt fuels growth. In this paper we switch the focus from the long to the short-run and study whether...

This study provides empirical evidence that the costs of austerity crucially depend on the level of private indebtedness. In particular, fiscal consolidations lead to severe contractions when implemented in high private debt states. Contrary, fiscal consolidations have no significant effect on...

Given the huge private debt in Cyprus, the risk of a recession is very high because of the compelling need for households and corporations to repair their balance sheets. The Central Bank now admits that it may take 10 years to tackle the huge non-performing loans problem. What they do not...

This study provides empirical evidence that the costs of austerity crucially depend on the level of private indebtedness. In particular, fiscal consolidations lead to severe contractions when implemented in high private debt states. Contrary, fiscal consolidations have no significant effect on...

The authors discuss the role of private debt in financial crises and attempt to apply the debt deflation logic to the data and facts surrounding the post bail-in years in Cyprus. It is found that the financial crisis in Cyprus was indeed predictable and that a key problem facing the country...

This study provides empirical evidence that the costs of austerity crucially depend on the level of private indebtedness. In particular, fiscal consolidations lead to severe contractions when implemented in high private debt states. Contrary, fiscal consolidations have no significant effect on...