Which policy would most directly reduce crowding-out by lowering government deficits?

• A. Increase tariffs on imports
• B. Increase government spending financed by new debt
• C. Fiscal consolidation to reduce deficits
• D. Tax incentives for foreign investors

Answer: (C)

Crowding out happens when the government borrows to finance deficits, which raises the demand for loanable funds and pushes up interest rates, making private investment more expensive. A policy that directly lowers deficits reduces the government’s borrowing need, frees up loanable funds, and keeps interest rates lower, thereby directly mitigating crowding out. Fiscal consolidation—cutting deficits through spending reductions or tax increases—does exactly that, so it’s the most direct way to lessen crowding out. The other options don’t target the deficit level: tariffs don’t directly shrink borrowing needs, increasing spending financed by debt worsens deficits, and tax incentives for foreign investors may shift capital but don’t directly reduce the government’s borrowing.