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Political fragmentation, fiscal policy and economic growth in Indian States

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  • Yogesh Uppal, Thushyanthan Baskaran

Abstract

We study how a fragmented political landscape affects fiscal policy and economic growth with a sample of 15 Indian States over the period 1980-2000. We measure state-level political fragmentation with an inverse Herfindahl index for party vote shares in the state legislature. Our results show that political fragmentation distorts fiscal policy: it entails higher spending, lower revenues, and higher public debt. At the disaggregated level, political fragmentation leads to higher current and lower capital expenditures. These fiscal distortions, in turn, lower growth rates. We also find that informational issues play an important role in determining the effect of political fragmentation.

Suggested Citation

  • Yogesh Uppal, Thushyanthan Baskaran, 2023. "Political fragmentation, fiscal policy and economic growth in Indian States," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 20(2), pages 161-191, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:liu:liucej:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:161-191
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Competitive politics; Political fragmentation; Fiscal policy; Economic growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • O23 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development

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