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On the Speed of Economic Reform: Tale of the Tortoise and the Hare

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Author Info
Merlevede, Bruno () (CERISE)
Schoors, Koen (CERISE)

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Abstract

We analyse how the choice of reform speed and economic growth affect one another. We estimate a system of three equations where economic growth, economic reform and FDI are jointly determined. New reforms affect economic growth negatively, whereas the level of past reform leads to higher growth and attracts FDI. This means that the immediate adjustment cost of new reforms is counterbalanced by a future increase in FDI inflows and higher future growth through a higher level of past reform. Reform reversals contribute to lower growth. We use the model to simulate the impact of big bang reform and gradualist reform on economic growth. This is only meaningful in the presence of reform reversals, which requires aggregate uncertainty about the appropriate reform path. Using the coefficients from the empirical model, we find that even relatively small ex ante reversal probabilities suffice to tilt the balance in favour of gradualism. The case for gradualism gains strength if policymakers are short-sighted, but weakens if voters are myopic.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition in its series BOFIT Discussion Papers with number 11/2005.

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Length: 42 pages
Date of creation: 05 Sep 2005
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:hhs:bofitp:2005_011

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Related research
Keywords: policy reform; gradualism; big bang; FDI; economic growth;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
O57 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
P21 - Economic Systems - - Socialist Systems and Transition Economies - - - Planning, Coordination, and Reform
P26 - Economic Systems - - Socialist Systems and Transition Economies - - - Political Economy
P27 - Economic Systems - - Socialist Systems and Transition Economies - - - Performance and Prospects

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References listed on IDEAS
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  14. Bhargava, A & Franzini, L & Narendranathan, W, 1982. "Serial Correlation and the Fixed Effects Model," Review of Economic Studies, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 49(4), pages 533-49, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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