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Letter Grading Government Efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Chong, Alberto
  • Rafael LaPorta
  • Florencio Lopez-de-Silanes
  • Andrei Shleifer

Abstract

We mailed letters to non-existent business addresses in 159 countries (10 per country), and measured whether they come back to the return address in the US and how long it takes. About 60% of the letters were returned, taking over 6 months, on average. The results provide new objective indicators of government efficiency across countries, based on a simple and universal service, and allow us to shed light on its determinants. The evidence suggests that both technology and management quality influence government efficiency, just as they do that of the private sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Chong, Alberto & Rafael LaPorta & Florencio Lopez-de-Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, "undated". "Letter Grading Government Efficiency," Working Paper 38978, Harvard University OpenScholar.
    • Handle: RePEc:qsh:wpaper:38978
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    File URL: http://scholar.harvard.edu/shleifer/node/38978
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • L32 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Enterprises; Public-Private Enterprises
    • L87 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Postal and Delivery Services
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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