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Political Economy And The Social Marginal Cost Of Public Funds: The Case Of The Meltzer‐Richard Economy

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  • K. W KEVIN HSU
  • C. C. YANG

Abstract

In previous studies on the social marginal cost of public funds (SMCF), the existing tax system has been assumed to be either arbitrary or optimal. This note explores another possibility: the existing tax system itself represents a political equilibrium. Our exploration proceeds in Meltzer and Richard’s (1981) political economy of redistributive taxation. An interesting feature of our finding is that the degree of income inequality as measured by the ratio of mean to median income can play an important role in estimating the SMCF and judging whether the level of redistribution is excessive or inadequate. (JEL D61, D72, H21)

Suggested Citation

  • K. W Kevin Hsu & C. C. Yang, 2008. "Political Economy And The Social Marginal Cost Of Public Funds: The Case Of The Meltzer‐Richard Economy," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 46(3), pages 401-410, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:46:y:2008:i:3:p:401-410
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7295.2007.00089.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation

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