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Whether to decentralize and how to decentralize? The optimal fiscal federalism in an endogenous growth model

Author

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  • Xiaodong Chen
  • Haoming Mi
  • Peng Zhou

Abstract

We develop an endogenous growth model with public consumption and infrastructure services provided by two-tier governments. Growth performance and welfare implication are compared under the centralized and decentralized fiscal federal systems. In general, there is a trade-off between welfare and growth due to conflicts of interest and asymmetric information between central and local governments. By numerical simulations, we show that the optimal fiscal federalism should impose restrictions on expenditure−GDP ratio, rather than on expenditure−budget ratio or central−local expenditure ratio, because expenditure−GDP ratio can align the incentives of the two-tier governments. Furthermore, it is suggested that decentralized fiscal systems are generally superior to the centralized system because the efficiency loss overweighs the agency cost. The model is then applied to analyzing different growth experiences in the West and China by institutional and cultural differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaodong Chen & Haoming Mi & Peng Zhou, 2024. "Whether to decentralize and how to decentralize? The optimal fiscal federalism in an endogenous growth model," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(29), pages 3499-3516, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:56:y:2024:i:29:p:3499-3516
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2023.2206629
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    Cited by:

    1. Fuyuan Jia, 2026. "Fiscal centralization versus decentralization of transport infrastructure operation and maintenance," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Zhang, Lina & Lyu, Xiangwei, 2025. "Vertical fiscal imbalance and inclusive green total factor productivity," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

    More about this item

    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
    • H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H5 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis

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