How to Improve the Debt Ceiling to Fit a Partisan Government: A Global Examination of Which International Solutions Excel

Abstract:This Note explores the changing role the debt ceiling has played within the United States and considers how that role should be altered moving forward. The debt ceiling's history and its political connections are discussed as a backdrop to how the United States might alter the debt ceiling to limit both future government shutdown and political gridlock. This Note examines both domestic and international solutions to the debt ceiling problem with an emphasis on the latter. In particular, the Note focuses on the possible international solution of adopting a system similar to Denmark's debt ceiling, or adopting a high debt-to-GDP ratio, similar to other non-U.S. countries.