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A Comparative Test of Alternative Theories of the Determinants of Italian Public Deficits (1950-1998)

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  • Galli, Emma
  • Padovano, Fabio

Abstract

The paper assesses the relative explanatory power of the Keynesian, the optimal finance, the contingent liability and several public choice theories of the determinants of public deficits on Italian 1950-1998 data. A vector error correction model suggests that deficits are sensitive to unemployment levels, interest groups' preferences (especially the elderly), government fragmentation, changes in the degree of stringency of budget rules and external economic constraints. Data instead provide a weak or no support to the hypotheses that deficits respond to output growth and electoral events. The implications of the optimal finance and of the contingent liability theory are rejected as well. Copyright 2002 by Kluwer Academic Publishers

Suggested Citation

  • Galli, Emma & Padovano, Fabio, 2002. "A Comparative Test of Alternative Theories of the Determinants of Italian Public Deficits (1950-1998)," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 113(1-2), pages 37-58, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:113:y:2002:i:1-2:p:37-58
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    Cited by:

    1. Buiatti, Cesare & Carmeci, Gaetano & Mauro, Luciano, 2014. "The origins of the public debt of Italy: Geographically dispersed interests?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 43-62.
    2. Tobias Hiller, 2023. "Measuring the Difficulties in Forming a Coalition Government," Games, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Padovano, Fabio & Venturi, Larissa, 2001. "Wars of Attrition in Italian Government Coalitions and Fiscal Performance: 1948-1994," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 109(1-2), pages 15-54, October.
    4. L. Mauro & C. Buiatti & G. Carmeci, 2012. "The Origins of the Sovereign Debt of Italy: a Common Pool Issue?," Working Paper CRENoS 201212, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    5. Germà Bel & Antonio Miralles, 2010. "Choosing between Service Fees and Budget Funding to Pay for Local Services: Empirical Evidence from Spain," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 28(1), pages 54-71, February.

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