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Rigidities and fiscal space in Latin America: a comparative case study

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  • Cetrángolo, Oscar
  • Jiménez, Juan Pablo
  • Ruiz del Castillo, Ramiro

Abstract

Despite the macroeconomic and fiscal bonanza experienced by the region from 2003 until mid-2008, the spread of the international crisis necessitated a fiscal response to the challenges it created. This situation has put the increased fiscal-policy space achieved in previous years to the test. An important aspect to consider in this context is the limited flexibility of public budgets in the region.The emergence of fiscal rigidities (which affect budget flexibility) cannot be explained by any single factor, but is rather a reflection of societal decisions about the role of the State, numerous public-policy priorities and their means of financing. This paper proposes that determining the degree of budget flexibility is less critical than understanding the type of rigidity inherent in a given budget, its origin and the reasons behind it.The paper begins with a conceptual overview and comparative analysis of the cases studied. First, there is an analysis and review of the theoretical justifications and arguments used in the political debate which underlies the emergence and persistence of rigidities in countries of the region, following a typology which allows for the classification of the reasons for rigidities.Based on the case studies, which include countries in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras) and the Andean Region (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia), the potential effects of fiscal rigidities on public budgets and their impact on fiscal-policy management are evaluated. The ultimate goal of this comparative study is to provide a set of recommendations to help guide future improvements in the management of public budgets.

Suggested Citation

  • Cetrángolo, Oscar & Jiménez, Juan Pablo & Ruiz del Castillo, Ramiro, 2010. "Rigidities and fiscal space in Latin America: a comparative case study," Macroeconomía del Desarrollo 5470, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    • Handle: RePEc:ecr:col037:5470
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    1. Flechtner, Svenja & Middelanis, Martin, 2024. "The role of the commodity price boom in shaping public social spending: Evidence from Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    2. Santiago Pérez Vincent, 2013. "Polarización política, rigideces presupuestarias e inflación," Ensayos de Política Económica, Departamento de Investigación Francisco Valsecchi, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina., vol. 2(1), pages 99-144, Octubre.
    3. Luiz de Mello, 2012. "Fiscal decentralization and public investment," Chapters, in: Giorgio Brosio & Juan P. Jiménez (ed.), Decentralization and Reform in Latin America, chapter 5, pages iii-iii, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Merotto,Dino Leonardo & Hayati,Fayavar & Stephan,David Andrew & Battaile,William G., 2015. "Dismal science, accounting and Newton?s second law : identifying force and rigidity in public expenditure analysis," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7431, The World Bank.
    5. Nataliya Synyutka & Anatolii Lutsyk, 2018. "Transformation of Fiscal Policy and Fiscal Space under Conditions of Digital Technologies Expansion," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 4, pages 108-113, December.
    6. World Bank, 2024. "Bhutan - Public Expenditure Review," World Bank Publications - Reports 41400, The World Bank Group.
    7. Nizar, Muhammad Afdi, 2013. "Fiscal Rigidities Dan Implikasinya Di Indonesia [The Implications of Fiscal Rigidities in Indonesia]," MPRA Paper 65772, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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