Issuance of currency, public debt and conventions during the 2020 Brazilian economic crisis

Abstract

The argument that currency issuance is inflationary and that the lack of control in the public debt/GDP ratio leads to a drop in market confidence in the future of the economy is a widespread one. According to this view, both situations also hinder economic growth. This article aims to demonstrate, based on the Post-Keynesian literature, that the issuance of public debt and currency during the current crisis in the Brazilian economy will not lead to inflation and/or loss of market confidence, nor will it drive away private investment, either during the economic recession in 2020 or after it. On the contrary, only with these measures it will be possible to restore confidence and mitigate the economic activity drop, fostering the recovery of the Brazilian economic growth.