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Globalisation squeezes the public sector - is it so obvious?

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  • Torben M. Andersen
  • Allan Sørensen

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Aarhus, Denmark)

Abstract

It is widely perceived that globalization squeezes public sector activities by making taxation more costly. This is attributed to increased factor mobility and to a more elastic labour demand due to improved scope for relocation of production and thus employment across countries. We argue that this consensus view overlooks that gains from trade unambiguously work to lower the marginal costs of public funds, and moreover that globalization via increased trade in intermediaries may actually lower the labour demand elasticity.

Suggested Citation

  • Torben M. Andersen & Allan Sørensen, 2008. "Globalisation squeezes the public sector - is it so obvious?," Economics Working Papers 2008-08, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    • Handle: RePEc:aah:aarhec:2008-08
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Yu-Fu & Görg, Holger & Görlich, Dennis & Molana, Hassan & Montagna, Catia & Temouri, Yama, 2014. "Globalisation and the Future of the Welfare State," IZA Policy Papers 81, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Torben M. Andersen & Allan Sørensen, 2013. "Product market integration, tax distortions and public sector size," Economics Working Papers 2013-28, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    3. Yu-Fu Chen & Hassan Molana & Catia Montagna & Holger Görg & Dennis Görlich & Yama Temouri, 2014. "Globalisation and the Future of the Welfare State. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 54," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47156, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Globalization; marginal costs of public funds; labour taxation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F4 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance
    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General

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