Subsidies are given by governments to boost certain economic activity or to support broader national goals. They typically come in the form of cash payments such as grants, tax breaks, or guaranteed or low-interest loans. Subsidies may help a community access education, healthcare or housing, or offer benefits to businesses such as lower taxes or the purchase of government-owned products.
Many critics of subsidies programs point out the distortions in incentives they generate. They claim that subsidies foster an unidirectional relationship between politicians and businesses which encourages them to contribute to campaigns and demand preferential treatment from policymakers. They also say that subsidies often discourage innovation and inefficiency by making businesses that rely on them less likely to invest in new technologies or change their business model to satisfy consumer demands.
Whatever the reason, the impact of these subsidies could be difficult to quantify and may result in significant costs that are not evident in projections of the government. They could also hinder more equitable and efficient public spending.
For instance that when governments subsidize energy production, they can make solar panels more affordable for homeowners and aid companies who sell them by lowering their sales prices or offering tax credits. They can also encourage the consumption of goods or services for instance, by providing subsidies to families that pay part of their insurance premiums. A government could also encourage people to take out federal loans by offering lower interest rates, deferred payments or flexible payment schedules.