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Read my Lips: the Role of Information Transmission in multilateral reform design

Author

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  • Silvia Marchesi

    (University of Milan Bicocca and Centro Studi Luca d’Agliano)

  • Laura Sabani

    (University of Florence)

  • Axel Dreher

    (University of Goettingen, KOF Swiss Economic Institute, IZA and CESifo)

Abstract

We focus on the role that the transmission of information between a multilateral (e.g., the IMF) and a country has for optimal (conditional) reform design. The main result is that the informational advantage of the country must be strictly greater than the advantage of the multilateral in order to increase a country\'s discretion in the choice of the policies to be implemented (country ownership). To the contrary, an increase in the conflict of interests between the multilateral and the country may lead the multilateral to leave more freedom in designing reforms, which is at odds to what is commonly argued. Our empirical results provide support to the idea that the IMF follows an optimal allocation rule of control rights over policies, leaving the recipient countries more freedom whenever their local knowledge appears to be crucial for designing more adequate reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Marchesi & Laura Sabani & Axel Dreher, 2009. "Read my Lips: the Role of Information Transmission in multilateral reform design," Development Working Papers 274, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    • Handle: RePEc:csl:devewp:274
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    Cited by:

    1. Marchesi, Silvia, 2018. "Communication and performance in Bank–Fund joint participation," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 263-276.
    2. Axel Dreher & Sarah Langlotz & Silvia Marchesi, 2017. "Information Transmission And Ownership Consolidation In Aid Programs," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 55(4), pages 1671-1688, October.
    3. Morana, Claudio, 2013. "Oil price dynamics, macro-finance interactions and the role of financial speculation," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 206-226.
    4. Luigi Marattin & Simone Meraglia & Raoul Minetti, 2022. "Sovereign bail‐outs and fiscal rules in a banking union," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 124(4), pages 1024-1055, October.
    5. Sylvia Marchesi, 2010. "From Economic Crisis to Reform. IMF Programs in Latin America and Eastern Europe," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 86(273), pages 304-307, June.
    6. Bommer, Christian & Dreher, Axel & Perez-Alvarez, Marcello, 2022. "Home bias in humanitarian aid: The role of regional favoritism in the allocation of international disaster relief," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    7. Silvia Marchesi & Laura Sabani, 2013. "Does it Take Two to Tango? Improving Cooperation between the IMF and the World Bank: Theory and Empirical Evidence," Development Working Papers 357, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    8. Axel Dreher & Kai Gehring & Christos Kotsogiannis & Silvia Marchesi, 2018. "Information transmission within federal fiscal architectures: theory and evidence," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 70(1), pages 243-265.
    9. Marchesi, Silvia & Masi, Tania & Paul, Saumik, 2021. "Project Aid and Firm Performance," IZA Discussion Papers 14705, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Silvia Marchesi & Tania Masi, 2019. "Allocation of Implementing Power: Evidence from World Bank Projects," Development Working Papers 447, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    11. Bomprezzi, Pietro & Marchesi, Silvia, 2023. "A firm level approach on the effects of IMF programs," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    12. Molly Bauer & Cesi Cruz & Benjamin Graham, 2012. "Democracies only: When do IMF agreements serve as a seal of approval?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 33-58, March.
    13. Silvia Marchesi & Tania Masi, 2021. "Delegation of implementation in project aid," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 655-687, July.
    14. Hodler, Roland & Dreher, Axel, 2013. "Development (paradigm) failures," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 63-74.
    15. Silvia Marchesi & Laura Sabani, 2013. "Does it take two to tango? How to improve cooperation between the IMF and the World Bank," Working Papers 232, University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Economics, revised Feb 2013.
    16. Marchesi, Silvia & Missale, Alessandro, 2013. "Did High Debts Distort Loan and Grant Allocation to IDA Countries?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 44-62.
    17. Laura Sabani, 2019. "The IMF and the World Bank: The Role of Competition and Domain Dissent in Communication and Decision Making," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 48(1), February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    IMF conditionality; delegation; communication; ownership; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions
    • N2 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions

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