Fiscal Guardians Under Pressure and Social Safety Nets: Reconciling Debt Sustainability with Poverty and Inequality in ASEAN
Fiscal Guardians Under Pressure and Social Safety Nets: Reconciling Debt Sustainability with Poverty and Inequality in ASEAN Abstract This paper examines the critical tension between fiscal sustainability and social protection in ASEAN member states, particularly in the post-pandemic era. As governments face mounting debt pressures while confronting persistent poverty and rising inequality, policymakers must navigate the delicate balance between fiscal consolidation and maintaining robust social safety nets. Through comparative analysis of fiscal policies, debt trajectories, and social protection systems across ASEAN countries, this study identifies key policy mechanisms that can reconcile these competing priorities. The research employs mixed methods, combining quantitative analysis of fiscal and social indicators with qualitative assessment of policy frameworks. Findings suggest that strategic revenue mobilization, progressive expenditure reallocation, and institutional reforms can e...