What does the term public debt refer to?

Public debt refers to the total value of all outstanding government securities. This includes all the borrowed funds that the government has yet to pay back, which typically encompass various instruments like bonds, bills, and notes issued to finance government operations. When a government runs a deficit, meaning it spends more than it earns through revenues, it often resorts to issuing these securities to cover the shortfall. As a result, public debt increases as the government borrows more.

Understanding public debt is crucial, as it represents the financial obligations of the government to its creditors and is often used to fund public services, infrastructure, and other expenditures. The other terms mentioned, such as an excess of government revenues over spending or an excess of government spending over revenues, refer to fiscal surpluses or deficits, which are distinct from the concept of public debt itself. The total of past and future tax collections does not accurately capture the liabilities incurred by borrowing. Therefore, the definition focusing on outstanding government securities is the most accurate representation of public debt.