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Is a fiscal union optimal for a monetary union?

Author

Listed:
  • Berriel, Rafael
  • Gonzalez-Aguado, Eugenia
  • Kehoe, Patrick J.
  • Pastorino, Elena

Abstract

When is a fiscal union appropriate for a monetary union? In a monetary union without fiscal externalities, when local fiscal authorities have an informational advantage over a central fiscal authority in terms of their knowledge of countries’ preferences for government spending, a decentralized fiscal regime dominates a centralized one. Our novel result is that in the presence of fiscal externalities across countries, however, a decentralized fiscal regime is optimal for small monetary unions, whereas a centralized fiscal regime is optimal for large ones. These results shed new light on the debate on fiscal integration within the EU and its enlargement.

Suggested Citation

  • Berriel, Rafael & Gonzalez-Aguado, Eugenia & Kehoe, Patrick J. & Pastorino, Elena, 2024. "Is a fiscal union optimal for a monetary union?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 157-177.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:moneco:v:141:y:2024:i:c:p:157-177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2023.11.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patrick J. Kehoe & Elena Pastorino, 2017. "Fiscal unions redux," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 64(4), pages 741-776, December.
    2. Mark Aguiar & Manuel Amador & Emmanuel Farhi & Gita Gopinath, 2015. "Coordination and Crisis in Monetary Unions," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 130(4), pages 1727-1779.
    3. Guido Tabellini, 2003. "Principles of Policymaking in the European Union: An Economic Perspective," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 49(1), pages 75-102.
    4. Rafael Berriel & Eugenia Gonzalez-Aguado & Patrick J. Kehoe & Elena Pastorino, 2023. "Fiscal Federalism and Monetary Unions," NBER Working Papers 31953, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Sebastián M. Saiegh & Mariano Tommasi, 1999. "Why is Argentina's Fiscal Federalism so Inefficient? Entering the Labyrinth," Journal of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(1), pages 169-209, May.
    6. Juan Pablo Nicolini & Josefina Posadas & Juan Sanguinetti & Pablo Sanguinetti & Mariano Tommasi, 2002. "Decentralization, Fiscal Discipline in Sub-National Governments and the Bailout Problem: The Case of Argentina," Research Department Publications 3160, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    7. Ben Lockwood, 2002. "Distributive Politics and the Costs of Centralization," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 69(2), pages 313-337.
    8. Waldfogel, Joel, 1993. "The Deadweight Loss of Christmas," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 83(5), pages 1328-1336, December.
    9. Russell Cooper & Hubert Kempf, 2004. "Overturning Mundell: Fiscal Policy in a Monetary Union," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 71(2), pages 371-396.
    10. Besley, Timothy & Coate, Stephen, 2003. "Centralized versus decentralized provision of local public goods: a political economy approach," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(12), pages 2611-2637, December.
    11. Lockwood, Ben, "undated". "Fiscal Decentralization: A Political Economy Perspective," Economic Research Papers 269615, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
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    1. Bozou Ninou, Caroline & Creel, Jérôme, 2025. "Fiscal policy in a monetary union: comparing different features of Next Generation EU," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 29, pages 1-1, January.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • E69 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Other
    • F42 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Policy Coordination and Transmission
    • F45 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Macroeconomic Issues of Monetary Unions

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