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Fiscal policymaking and the central bank institutional constraint Una Vez Más: New Latin American evidence

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  • Richard C. K. Burdekin

    (Claremont McKenna College)

  • Leroy O. Laney

    (Hawaii Pacific University)

Abstract

Evidence on the degree to which central bank independence can constrain government budget deficits remains surprisingly scarce. This paper finds empirical support for the importance of the central institutional constraint for a 14-country sample of Latin American countries over 1990–2012. These results suggest that greater central bank autonomy has indeed helped reign in fiscal excesses in a region that has been plagued by inflationary deficit expansion for much of the post-war period. The ability to potentially discipline government policy adds to an independent central bank’s inherent role in adding to the checks and balances essential to a well-functioning democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard C. K. Burdekin & Leroy O. Laney, 2016. "Fiscal policymaking and the central bank institutional constraint Una Vez Más: New Latin American evidence," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 277-289, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:167:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11127-016-0341-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-016-0341-8
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