In 2009, many used fiscal stimulus packages to keep their economies on the rails.

BBC: Latin America is enjoying the good times - at last

All the main rich economies and most big emerging ones have announced fiscal stimulus packages.

ECONOMIST: Unemployment: When jobs disappear | The

Another positive sign is the emphasis on infrastructure spending in many of the national fiscal stimulus packages.

ECONOMIST: The truck industry

This is the idea that lies behind most post-war demand management as well as today's fiscal stimulus packages.

ECONOMIST: John Maynard Keynes

Fiscal stimulus packages that seemed sufficient two months ago may be too small, and too slow to take effect.

ECONOMIST: Why China and Germany need to do more to boost demand

Public spending has been rising there as the government tries to prop up the economy with fiscal stimulus packages like its car-scrapping scheme, but the state has also started reining in its spending to repair its poor public finances.

FORBES: European Economy

But some of the most partisan issues of the year--like the fiscal stimulus and government spending packages--have already been settled.

FORBES: Magazine Article