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Comparing governments’ efficiency at supplying income redistribution

Author

Listed:
  • Fabio Padovano

    (Univ Rennes, CNRS, Condorcet Center for Political Economy
    DSP, Università Roma Tre)

  • Francesco Scervini

    (University of Pavia)

  • Gilberto Turati

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

Abstract

We examine whether and to what extent political institutions explain different performances in income redistribution across countries. After reviewing the available data sources, the measures of income redistribution and the traditional demand side explanations of redistribution, we focus our analysis on supply side factors, like political and economic institutions, rent seeking processes and the resources and instruments available for redistribution. We provide robust empirical evidence on the association between these different factors and the observed degree of redistribution. Our analysis supports the view that—for a given demand of redistribution—political and economic institutions contribute to explain differences across countries in the observed degree of redistribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabio Padovano & Francesco Scervini & Gilberto Turati, 2021. "Comparing governments’ efficiency at supplying income redistribution," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 68-97, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:32:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10602-020-09314-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-020-09314-6
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Redistribution; Ex ante and ex post Gini coefficients; Political and economic institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government

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