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Economic performance, government size, and institutional quality

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  • António Afonso

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  • João Jalles

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Abstract

This paper studies the empirical link between government size, institutions and economic activity using a panel of 140 countries over 40 years. Our results, robust under different econometric techniques, show mostly a negative effect of government size on output, while institutional quality has generally a positive impact. Moreover, the detrimental effect of government size on economic activity is stronger the lower institutional quality, and the positive effect of institutional quality on output increases with smaller government sizes. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Suggested Citation

  • António Afonso & João Jalles, 2016. "Economic performance, government size, and institutional quality," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 43(1), pages 83-109, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:empiri:v:43:y:2016:i:1:p:83-109
    DOI: 10.1007/s10663-015-9294-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Castro, Vítor, 2017. "The impact of fiscal consolidations on the functional components of government expenditures," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 138-150.
    2. António Afonso & Yasfir Ibraimo, 2018. "The Macroeconomic Effects of Public Debt: An Empirical Analysis of Mozambique," Working Papers REM 2018/29, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    3. António Afonso & Huseyin Sen & Ayse Kaya, 2018. "Government Size, Unemployment, and Inflation Nexus in Eight Large Emerging Market Economies," Working Papers REM 2018/38, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    4. José Alves, 2018. "The sinful side of taxation: is it possible to satisfy the government hunger for revenues while promoting economic growth?," Working Papers REM 2018/57, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Production function; Institutions; Globalization; GMM; Pooled mean group; Common correlated effects; C10; C23; H11; H30; O40;

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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