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What is in it for the poor? Evidence from fiscal decentralization in Vietnam

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  • Nguyen, Hoang-Phuong
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    Abstract

    Like other developing countries, Vietnam has attempted to push for greater fiscal decentralization in the hope of a more efficient delivery of social services to targeted citizens. The fiscal decentralization initiative is encouraging and merits pursuit, but the present study however, shows that a misstep in the decentralization process can discriminate disproportionately against the poor. Specifically, an increase in the sub-provincial share of the total provincial expenditures is predicted to bring about an appreciable decrease in the lowest-quintile average monthly income. We suggest that the Vietnamese government require provinces to adopt pro-poor allocation norms rather than reclaiming its control over the provincial expenditure assignment. This paper’s empirical findings sound a note of considerable caution that other developing countries should exercise in their fiscal decentralization efforts to avoid creating unintended consequences for the poor.

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    Bibliographic Info

    Paper provided by University Library of Munich, Germany in its series MPRA Paper with number 9344.

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    Date of creation: Jan 2008
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    Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:9344

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    Keywords: Fiscal decentralization; Vietnam; poverty reduction;

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    1. G. Gulsun Arikan, 2004. "Fiscal Decentralization: A Remedy for Corruption?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 175-195, 03.
    2. Rao, M.,Govinda, 2000. "Fiscal Decentralization in Vietnam: Emerging Issues," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 41(2), pages 163-177, December.
    3. Fisman, Raymond & Gatti, Roberta, 2002. "Decentralization and corruption: evidence across countries," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(3), pages 325-345, March.
    4. Ebel, Robert D. & Yilmaz, Serdar, 2002. "On the measurement and impact of fiscal decentralization," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2809, The World Bank.
    5. Pranab Bardhan & Dilip Mookherjee, 2006. "Decentralisation and Accountability in Infrastructure Delivery in Developing Countries," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 116(508), pages 101-127, 01.
    6. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, 2004. "Making Fiscal Decentralization Work in Vietnam," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0404, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
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